The Revealed Secret
Mysteries fascinate us all. Crime novels and mystery TV shows have always been on the bestseller lists because we love the challenge of solving a puzzle. When the Bible speaks of a mystery, it arouses our interest and makes our pulse beat faster. Paul writes: "By this, when you read it, you will know that I understand the mystery of Christ. In earlier times this was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit" (Ephesians 1:14). 3,4-5). What mystery does Paul mean in his letter to the Ephesians?
We do not have to grope in the dark or try to figure out the answer by piecing together scattered clues. For a long time, God's plan for the redemption of his creation and his creatures was not fully known. It remained hidden and was only hinted at in symbols and fragments. Even the prophets of the Old Testament saw only parts of it and did not understand how it would all come to pass. Peter writes: "The prophets searched for what and what manner of time the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing, having testified beforehand about the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow" (1. Petrus 1,11).
When the time was fulfilled, a bright light broke through the darkness, the shadows disappeared and reality became clear. God's great secret was finally revealed: "The mystery which has been hidden for ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints" (Colossians 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, knit together in love, and may be rich in the fullness of understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, which is Christ. In him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 1:14). 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 early on the significance of the revelation of Jesus Christ. Many people devote 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 Epiphany. The term comes from the Greek word "epiphaneia", which means "appearance" or "lighting up". The visit of the wise men from the East (Matthew 2,1-12) is considered particularly symbolic, since it was here that the secret of Jesus was revealed for the first time 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
More articles about the secret:
