Have you ever had something that was puzzling you for a long time, something that was difficult to understand or difficult to do, and then finally you understood it, the meaning became clear? Perhaps you were pondering something over and over, and then finally it was as if a light went on in your brain. Ah Ha!, now suddenly the meaning becomes clear, and the puzzle can be solved. In our very brief Scripture passage for today, the Apostle Paul describes such an event, where now we understand what God is doing.
Our Scripture passage for today is the closing verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans, which we will take a very brief look into this day after Christmas. Here Paul gives a benediction, which comes from the Latin word meaning to bless. In many churches the priest or pastor will give a benediction, a prayer or words spoken to bless the congregation before they leave. Paul also gives a doxology, praising God for His work through the Lord Jesus Christ.
In these closing verses Paul makes mention of a mystery that had been hidden or secret from time past, but is now made clear or plain. The word “mystery”, when used in the New Testament, does not have its modern connotation. It is not like an Agatha Christie mystery, or something on an episode of Murder, She Wrote. Instead, it refers to something hid in former times, but now is made known. The New Testament’s most common mystery is that God would provide the same access to salvation for Gentiles as well as for Jews, without the Gentiles going through the Jewish faith.
Throughout their history the nation of Israel was not only called to righteousness, but was also appointed to be a light of God’s message to all nations. Light is one symbol that is emphasized throughout the Christmas season. Jesus came to be a Light in this dark world of sin (John 8:12). God is Light, and there is no darkness in Him (I John 1:5). God called us out of the darkness of sin and Satan, and into His Light (I Peter 2:9). All around the neighborhood we see the twinkling Christmas lights that many put up on their homes and yards. Just as those shine out a cheery message, God calls us to be His light to the world (Matthew 5:14-16).
Paul wrote this epistle to the church in Rome. Ancient Rome was essentially the capital of the world. The early church there had great potential to be a beacon of light, spreading the Gospel to many. Today, with modern technology, we have the entire world open to us. We have the potential to be a widespread influence for the Gospel. The mystery is no longer hidden. Both Jews and Gentiles have the Gospel message of salvation open to them. Jesus came into the world to make that possible. Let’s be that beacon of His light and shine God’s message to everyone we can!
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