Epiphany (Observed): Epistle, Ephesians 3:1-12                 

Ephesians 3:1-12

I love Ephesians. I love a good mystery. In chapter three Paul cracks the egg on a shell which has encased a treasured egg. “The mystery of Christ.” Paul lets us in on something that he tells us over and over again has come to him as a gift. You cannot miss that as you read. And this mystery of the cosmic dimensions of the person and work of Jesus are not the same as a mystery you and I might crack on a stormy evening, perched near the crackling fire. No, a biblical mystery is something that you and I could not know unless God told us. You see in Ephesians God is making clear that the dimensions of His heavenly rescue in Jesus includes everyone. 

“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” (Ephesians 3:6).

God has always had one people. The issue is that He is building according to His plan, not ours. And where we might want to see divisions and stops and starts, God is patient. He knows what He’s doing. The issue to Paul is that now, in Christ Jesus, the pivotal element has come to light to show that God wants all people to be in the family. Yes, the Jews were called people. But missionary people. They failed. But God didn’t. All of the process is His. And now the mystery has been placed squarely before the great apostle and he cannot wait to let it out.

“Arise, shine,” said Isaiah in our Old Testament lesson this week. Well, now the light is out. The mystery is revealed by God’s grace. With Paul, we carry it forward that all may hear. God be praised!