The Mystery of Christ

Throughout the writings of the Apostle Paul, we frequently find a recurring phrase, "the mystery of Christ".  To the Old Testament saint, much was shrouded in mystery. Since the coming of Christ we have much for which to be thankful.  There are several wondrous new realities for us to appreciate.

So, let's explore what Paul has to say about this wondrous mystery…

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. (Eph 3:1-10)

In this passage we can see several aspects of the mystery… 

1. The mystery has been hidden from past ages and generations.
2. The mystery includes the gospel of Christ.
3. The mystery extends to the Gentiles.
4. The mystery involves the church.
5. The mystery is Christ himself.

 Now let's look at these one at a time… 

1. The mystery has been hidden from past ages and generations.

 Some have said, "Christ is in the Old Testament concealed, in the New Testament revealed."  There is much truth in this statement.  Those at the time of Christ were awaiting their Messiah.  Most were looking for a mighty ruler who would free Israel from the Roman rule.

 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this. (Isa 9:6-7)

 Others thought of the Messiah as a servant or a shepherd.

 “My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd; and they will walk in My ordinances and keep My statutes and observe them." (Eze 37:24)

 

Both views of Messiah were correct.  Christ would come first as a suffering servant, then as a reigning judge.  So, for many ages and generations the coming of Christ was a mystery. 

2. The mystery includes the gospel of Christ. 

Few understood that Christ came to die.  He came to give his life as a ransom for sin.  Even his key disciple, Peter, rebuked him when he mentioned his upcoming death. 

From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” (Mt 16:21-23) 

3. The mystery extends to the Gentiles. 

Throughout the Old Testament the Jews were described by God himself as the "chosen people".  (Deut 7:6) Even Jesus told the Samaritan women at the well, "Salvation is from the Jews." (Jn 4:22) When Jesus sent the disciples out to preach the gospel of the kingdom, he instructed them to "go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel". (Mt 4:10) So it is natural that the Jews would assume the Messiah would come for them only.  This was a big miscalculation.  Jesus would perform several miracles for the Gentiles and admonish the disciples to take the gospel to "all nations". (Mt 28:18-20) The book of Acts portrays this global outreach largely through the call of the Apostle Paul to the Gentiles. 

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power.  (Eph 3:1-7) 

4. The mystery involves the church. 

On the day of Pentecost, a new entity was formed- the church, also called the body of Christ.  (Acts 2) All who trust Christ as Savior and Lord experience the new birth (2 Cor 5:17) and are indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:13).  This union with Christ and with each other forms a new community.  We are the physical presence of Christ on earth and are to reflect his nature and pursue his mission- The Great Commission (Mt 28:18-20) 

Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:25-27) 

5. The mystery is Christ Himself. 

The greatest mystery of all is the reality of Christ- who he is, what he has done, and what he will be doing in the future. 

"…attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Col 2:2b-3) 

  He is fully God and fully man- a great mystery indeed!  

For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; (Col 2:9-10) 

For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. (Col 1:19-20) 

Not only does the fullness of Deity dwell in him, but he also dwells in us- Christ in you, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27)

So what about you?  If you know Christ, you have much to be thankful for: 

1. Thank Him that you know the mystery hidden from the past ages and generations.
2. Thank Him that you understand the gospel of Christ and have received him as Savior and Lord.
3. Thank Him that the gospel extends even to you, whoever you are and wherever you live.
4. Thank Him that you have been joined with other believers into the body of Christ, the church.
5. Praise God that you know Christ- his love, forgiveness and power.

 

All passages in this post were taken from The New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995).