… the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.
Summary: There are different kinds of mysteries: Some are entertaining and some are troublesome. Real-life mysteries are meant to be solved. For the greatest mystery of all, Jesus is the answer.”.
Who doesn’t love a good mystery?
I mean a “GOOD” mystery! Some mysteries are not-so-good—like when I’m in a hurry and can’t find my car keys. (I don’t really enjoy the panic that ensues.) Another kind of mystery I don’t care for is when I do or say something that offends someone, but they don’t want to tell me what it is. I don’t like it when people are mad at me.
Then there are the mysteries that are so mysterious people don’t even know they exist. (In this case, the mystery is the mystery!) For example, consider Paul’s mystery.
Paul was a Pharisee from a long line of Pharisees (Acts 23:6). He was steeped in the Old Testament traditions and Mosaic laws. As a Pharisee, Paul understood and accepted their views of God and the prophecies about the coming Messiah.
There was no mystery as far as Paul was concerned. He “knew” what the Messiah would be like when he finally came. There was no doubt in his mind about who the Messiah was or what he would do.
Even though Paul was very young when Jesus was crucified, he had no doubt that the stories about the man called Jesus were true. He was nothing but a troublemaker and a rabble-rouser who deserved to die.
And then a funny thing happened on the road to Damascus.
Jesus stopped Paul in his tracks and gave him an old-fashioned “talkin’ to.” Apparently, there were things that Paul didn’t understand. In a flash of brilliant, unbearable light, Paul’s confidence in what he thought he knew was shattered. Reality crashed down on him like you or I might squish a bug with our shoe.
Suddenly, all was made clear!
The “mystery” that Paul and others didn’t know existed was revealed. At the same moment, Jesus presented the solution to the mystery: himself.
In life, along with mundane mysteries like “Where did I put my keys?,” are more pressing mysteries. Many people wonder if this life is all there is. It feels like something is missing, but we just can’t put our finger on it. Often, we tell ourselves there is nothing we can do. We “decide” that there is no mystery because that is easier than accepting the truth.
Jesus is the truth. God is real. Life includes invisible things like love, hope, despair, and hurts. These invisible things point to an invisible part of us that was made by God and longs to be connected to our Creator. There really is no mystery; we need Jesus.
Application: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10)
Food for Thought: What keeps us from seeing the mystery and its solution?
Thanks brother. I enjoyed the devotional.
I think since the mystery is described in verse 27 as “Christ in you,” then what keeps someone from seeing the truth of Jesus is our own sinful rebellion and a spiritual enemy that blinds people to the truth of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4: 3 – 6: And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” a made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
Thanks Rich!
Great quote!
It sounds like self-deceit requires our cooperation with the Deceiver.
What keeps us from seeing the mystery and its solution?
We are each spiritual beings, creations of God, temporarily placed in, confined to life in physical housings for purposes only fully known by God. Receiving or rejecting Gods truths as revealed in Christ is a free will choice on the part of every individual, and we will one day stand before God as our hearts are opened and all truths will be revealed.
Those who have chosen to receive Life through Jesus Christ will receive their choice beginning now, and all who have rejected the conviction of the Holy Spirit, chosen to live self absorbed lives will knowingly reject all truths revealed by God, as they choose to live according to their own standards of righteousness which has it’s consequences.
John 12:48
He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.
Romans 2:15
They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.
2 Corinthians 4:4
In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ.
Hebrews 12:25
See to it that you do not refuse Him who is speaking. For if those did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape who turn away from Him who warns from heaven.
Thanks, Ron!
More great Scriptures!
And yes, choosing to live by our own standards is the definition of evil. When we do that, we choose to live in opposition to God.