Ephesians 3:1-13
Thursday, 10 March 2022
“This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”- Ephesians 3:6
What a delight when something is revealed to you that you previously were unaware of! That is the feeling you must get when you understand the plan of salvation unfolded to the world through Christ and the significance it holds for every believer. Paul tries to explain just this to us in our reading today.
God’s eternal plan of salvation, though was spoken through the prophets had remained a mystery through generations. But in the fullness of time, God sent forth His Son (Gal.4:4) for the redemption of all humankind. God’s plan of saving humans from eternal separation from Him was done in Christ, who took on Him the just punishment of human sin so that we would be forgiven and have a right standing with God.
Our key verse points to three aspects of the mystery of salvation revealed to us:
Heirs together with Israel
Israel considered themselves as “the privileged,” having God’s law and His promises through their forefather Abraham. But this entitlement was graciously offered to the “disadvantaged Gentiles” in Christ- their status being raised to “heirs together with Israel!” Paul wrote in Gal. 3:29: “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Having been adopted as God’s children, we are accepted in Christ! Romans 8:17 [NLT] says: “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.” What a privilege!
Members together of one body
Every wall that had come up between Jew and Gentile and the enmity between man and God was destroyed by Christ when He opened a new and living way through His body to enter God’s presence (cf. Heb.10:19-20). We now enjoy peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) and peace with fellow citizens of God’s household (cf, Eph. 2: 19). Paul wrote in Galatians 3: 28: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. When Christ the head, has united us all as one in His body, the Church, why are we making separations with colour, caste and creed in the church?
Sharers together in the promise of Christ
Jesus Christ became a curse for us so that the blessing of Abraham will come to us: “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” (Gal.3:13). No longer under a curse but a blessing with the many promises of God for His children! 2Cor.1:20 says: “For all the promises of God in Him [Christ] are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” Both Jew and Gentile are heirs to the promises!
Brothers and sisters, as you meditate on this word today, can you be thankful for the privilege each of you has received in Christ? No merit of ours but His great grace that flowed into your life and mine! Nothing to boast about but to carry the burden and responsibility of bringing others into God’s great household!
Dear privileged Christian if you are delighted in God’s salvation plan in you, can you sing along with the Psalmist:
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
He set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
and put their trust in Him.
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