“Hark the Herald Angels sing,
Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.”
And in those few words, we have God’s mystery explained. The words come from one of the Christmas carols that we all enjoy because of the message it brings. We are reconciled – all because of the actions of a babe, the newborn King. Paul:
“…the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from
generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them
God willed to make know what are the riches of the glory of
this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the
hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:26-27)
Paul talks about the mystery in a number of different places but what he is saying is that we who are Gentiles have had this destiny of redemption and adoption into the family of God – from the beginning of time! We have always had a place, a belonging even before God chose the Jewish nation as His people. Romans 11:17 talks about our grafting into the tree through our acceptance and allegiance to Jesus.
‘Christ in you, the hope of glory’ – do you understand this or does it remain a different mystery? Regardless of understanding, it is fact for those who count themselves as Christian. It’s not a gift that will eventually be given, it is a now reality. Our hope is and always has been in Jesus as our ‘door’, entry into right relationship with the Father. We never could attain this through our own efforts. No one is ‘good’ enough, we all sin. The point is that irrespective of our inability, Jesus is able to provide our way when we follow Him.
This is our empowerment – to be able to do whatever is required, necessary because He is in us, He is our hope of glory. Yes, glory is for another time but it is a promise. And He is is us, the scripture says: (1 Corinthians 6:17) “He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.” John (17:20-21) in relaying Jesus’ prayer says:
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in
Me through their words: that they all may be one, as You, Father,
are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the
world may believe that You sent Me.”
I may not fully understand or appreciate what this says and means, this is a mystery not fully revealed to my understanding, but I do know that I can appropriate this for myself through faith. A mystery and a reality.
