The Administration of a Mystery

SCRIPTURE:  Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:8-12 NIV

THOUGHT: Paul sees himself as less than the least of all the Lord’s people – and, in fact, did you know Paul means “humble?” He spoke so uncompromisingly and with such authority it’s sometimes hard to believe, but regardless of his impact on others, he was humble before the one he served. That one had knocked him to his knees and transformed Saul of Tarsus.

Instead of the deeply-Jewish religious life he envisioned for himself, wrapped in robes and dripping with piety, he found himself making tents and preaching Christ to every race and creed but the Jews. His rich understanding and study of Scripture was the perfect training to unpack the birth, death and resurrection of the Savior and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery. The plan of God that had been hidden was now out in the open: The God of the Jews was the God of the church. His purposes were much bigger than just one people group.

And this is the part that really blows my mind: God planned it this way for the sake of his wisdom being made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. What? It wasn’t all about us after all? Right. There is something he is teaching them and whoever these rulers and authorities are, they are still watching the church and learning about the manifold wisdom of God.

We who watch the church on earth ponder his wisdom too. Sometimes we see no sense in his plans or his people. But the God who tore the veil in the inner temple still invites common men and women to enter his presence with freedom and confidence. Like a commoner marrying a king, we the church have been elevated to bride status. And this is God’s eternal purpose accomplished in Christ.

Hallelujah! What a redeemer, what a plan. What a mystery to administer.

PRAYER: Oh God, your thoughts are higher than ours but help us come anyway, humbled like Paul, to grasp the boundless riches and eternal purposes of Christ.