The Mystery is Solved

I like a good mystery TV show. If you’re at my house when one is one the air, I will make you watch it with me. (Just ask My Friend Patti.) I've lately been watching the BBC series “Rosemary and Thyme.” So if I suddenly start speaking with a British accent you'll know why.

I like cozy murder mystery books. Don’t give me blood and gore just let the person nobody likes be dead and give me clues so I can try to solve the “who done it” before the main character does.

And I like a treasure hunt too. Finding wonderful stuff at estate sales or antique malls is right up my alley. And don't get me started on auctions.

So when I got to chapter 3 of Ephesians I was delightfully intrigued. There is a mystery there that had been unsolved for years. And Paul got to be the one to solve it for the people in Ephesus.

For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,  how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly.  When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  (Verses 1-6)

1. Paul pulled the cover off of the mysterious treasure and said, “Ta da!” (Not really but in my mind he did.) vs. 3

2. When the Ephesians heard the letter, they understood the secret unknown for generations. (Does this intrigue you? I'll just bet they were fascinated and yelled, “Tell us, tell us!”)    vs. 4

3. And the mystery is ….. Wait for it ….. YOU! (We are the mystery. God lets the Gentiles be partakers of His Salvation through Christ.)  Vs. 6

Wow, you are God’s treasure. You, who are not one of his previously chosen, are accepted into His wonderful family. You, and me, all of us who were not physically born as one of God’s selected now have the chance to be included.  It was God’s plan all along.

God gave clues in the Old Testament by including gentiles in the human family of the Christ. Jesus gave clues as He interacted with Gentiles during His life on earth. And the mystery was finally solved when the early Christians, following one of the last commands of Jesus, started taking the Gospel beyond the Jewish realm into the uttermost parts of the earth. Anyone, everyone is able to be an approved follower of Jesus and His salvation.

The Gospel was given to us.

We have the opportunity to accept the salvation of Jesus Christ.

God’s previously inexplicable plan has been revealed.

The wonderful mystery is solved.

Ta da!