“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” Ephesians 1:7–10 (ESV)
Most people enjoy a good bit of mystery and intrigue. We see this in the rise of escape rooms, where groups get together to solve puzzles and escape in a limited amount of time. Young and old get wide-eyed as a magician magically pulls a rabbit out of a hat. People pay large amounts of money to attend mystery dinners, where they can partake in guessing who done it. The joy of mystery is fun because eventually we pull back the curtain and see how everything connects. Pastors and church leaders, people will be coming to many of our churches this weekend wondering what we are all about. We will be tempted to get creative and wow them, but in the creativity and excitement we may forget to be clear about who we are all about.
The Gospel Revealed in Christ
In his letter to the Ephesian churches, Paul labors to set out the clear gospel. He labors to show that in Jesus Christ, Jews and Gentiles are one people. The dividing wall of hostility has been broken down in Jesus (Eph. 2:14). Early in the letter, Paul tells us that God has made known the mystery of his will … to unite all things in Jesus (Eph. 1:9-10). God has been in the business of revealing things to his people since sin disrupted our relationship with him. The ultimate revelation of God is found in Jesus Christ. God has made clear who he is and what he plans to do.
What We Do Not Fully Understand
Now this isn’t to say that there are not a good many things in Scripture that we do not fully understand or cannot comprehend because we see through a glass dimly (1 Cor. 13:12). We can’t fully understand how election and human responsibility truly work out. God’s ways are not our ways, his thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). We will never, on this side of God’s kingdom at least, fully understand and comprehend the Hypostatic Union. But the mystery of God’s will in salvation and making a people of his own has been thoroughly and clearly revealed.
God Made Known
The full provision of God in Jesus was hidden for a time, but has now been revealed. As Paul states in Colossians 1:25-27, he was given the stewardship from God “to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” The mystery of God’s redemption is no longer a mystery; it is to be revealed. Like Paul, we are called to make known “the riches of the glory of this mystery.”
Clarity Over Creativity
In the midst of the special services, the egg hunts, the special music, the extra decorations and creative illustrations, may we be sure that we are clearly making the revelation of God’s mystery in Jesus Christ known. Much mystery today is an endeavor where we have to go and find the truth, but the gospel is that God has come and revealed the truth. He has come and revealed himself. We don’t venture to God as if he is far off. He has come close to us in Jesus, in Immanuel. He has come to us by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. May every church be clear more than they are creative. For God has made himself known in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. May all who come to our churches take notice not of our creativity, but of our clarity in the gospel.
