The Revealed Secret
Mysteries fascinate us all. Crime novels and mysterious television shows have always topped bestseller lists because we love the challenge of solving a puzzle. When the Bible speaks of a mystery, it piques our interest and makes our hearts race. Paul writes: “From this, as you read, you can understand my understanding of the mystery of Christ. This was not made known to the sons of men in earlier times as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets through the Spirit.” (Eph 3,4-5)What mystery is Paul referring to in his letter to the Ephesians?
We don't have to grope in the dark or try to piece together the answer by fragmenting scattered clues. For a long time, God's plan for the salvation of his creation and his creatures was not fully discernible. It remained hidden, hinted at only in symbols and fragments. Even the prophets of the Old Testament saw only parts of it and didn't understand how it would all be fulfilled. Peter writes: "The prophets searched to find out what time and circumstances the Spirit of Christ, who was in them, was indicating beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow." (1. Petr 1,11).
When the time was fulfilled, a bright light broke through the darkness, the shadows receded, and reality became clear. God's great mystery was finally revealed: "The mystery that has been hidden for ages and generations, but is now revealed to his saints." (Kol 1,26).
What was this long-kept secret? It is Jesus Christ! The once-hidden secret was finally revealed to humanity by God: “That their hearts may be strengthened and united in love, and may have all riches in the fullness of understanding, to know the mystery of God, who is Christ. In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Kol 2,2-3).
Do we realize what a dramatic revelation the coming of Jesus was? The biblical prophets had clues to the mystery, but they did not understand the full meaning or how it all fit together. They were like characters in a thrilling novel who did not yet know the end of the story. We, on the other hand, have the privilege of knowing that God's plan is fulfilled in Jesus Christ. We are like readers who have read the mysterious story to the end. The answer to the mystery has been revealed to us. When we reread the earlier chapters of the story, we realize the full meaning of the clues. The people of Israel lived in twilight and shadows. We can see both the New and Old Testaments in the full light of Jesus.
Christians recognized the significance of the revelation of Jesus Christ early on. Many people dedicate special time at the beginning of the calendar year to the events through which Jesus was revealed to the world as the fulfillment of God's plan – the Feast of the Epiphany. The term comes from the Greek word "epiphaneia," meaning "appearance" or "glow." The visit of the Magi from the East (Mt 2,1-12). is considered particularly symbolic, as it was here that the secret of Jesus was first revealed to people from distant lands.
Two thousand years ago, God's hidden secret was finally revealed: Jesus Christ. This revealed secret is a gift to all of us. God invites you, dear reader, to receive Jesus Christ in your life and to receive the light that drives away all darkness. Let us be guided by his light and accept this gift with an open heart.
by Don Mears
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