UNDERSTAND THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST

“By which, when you read, you may UNDERSTAND my KNOWLEDGE in the MYSTERY of CHRIST” – Ephesians 3:4

Every Believer is privileged not only to know but to UNDERSTAND the MYSTERY of CHRIST: “By which, when you read, you may UNDERSTAND my KNOWLEDGE in the MYSTERY of CHRIST” (Eph.3:4). This was one of Paul’s last letters, written from prison; hence of great worth. The most vital thing he wanted to talk about was the ‘Mystery of Christ.’ Paul had knowledge of this Mystery, and he prayed that the Ephesian Believers would receive Understanding of this Knowledge. It is not sufficient to know the facts, the climactic work of Christ on the cross is that by His blood He broke down the dividing wall of racial hostility between Jew and Greek!

Ephesians presents a glorious list of doctrines concerning God's Salvation, including the “Mystery of Christ” (Rom. 25-26). The Apostle Paul explained it: “That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (v.6). God introduced this Mystery to him “by revelation” (vv.1-3) and entrusted it to him. Paul didn’t invent his gospel. The mystery “has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets” (v.5). It was never a mystery to God, Who knows all things (1Jh.3:20). He planned Christ’s redemptive work “before the foundation of the world” (Eph.1:4), and has now “made known to us the mystery of His will” (Eph.1:9).

There were hints of God’s Plan of Salvation in Genesis 3:15 and in the Old Testament through the Jews, but all is now fulfilled through Christ! All that God did in the Old Testament was a foretaste of what was to come through Christ. The Jews could not keep the law, and had to keep making sacrifices to cover their sins. Then, the ultimate sacrifice – Jesus Christ – came to blot out our sins once and for all. What many did not realize is that God’s Plan, which is consistent throughout the Scripture, was not just for the Jewish people, but for everyone, who receives Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Now, Christ’s work on the Cross has been completed, and the mystery has been revealed through Paul (vv.8-9). It is time to boldly proclaim the gospel to everyone – Jews and Gentiles (Rom.10: 14-17).

Understanding is crucial because, having been revealed and explained, the Mystery of Christ must be administered through the Church (vv.9-10). The Mystery is then applied as God’s Eternal Purpose (vv.11-13). Paul wrote to Timothy concerning this same Mystery: And without controversy great is the MYSTERY of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory” (1Tim.3:16). Christ, the Son of God, is the Central Message of Scriptures!

We must Understand Christ in His diverse Glorious Expressions, by: His Blood (Acts 20:28; Eph.1:7); His Name (Phi.2:9-10); His Suffering, Sacrificial Death, Resurrection, Lordship (Phi.2:11); and Glory (Col.1:27).