In ending his letter to the Colossians, Paul asks for prayer that God would open doors to allow him and his companions to declare the mystery of Christ. Let’s consider that word, “mystery.”
In English, the word mystery usually refers to something that can’t be explained. Either the cause or the culprit is unknown. All attempts to understand have failed. No one has the answer. The missing clue seems impossible to find. Mysteries are often reason for resignation or despair.
But Paul was not a detective. He didn’t ask for prayer to solve the mystery, but to declare the mystery. The mystery of Christ has already been revealed. For ages and generations God had given promises regarding his plan for salvation. He promised Adam and Eve an offspring who would defeat the serpent. He promised Abraham an heir through which the world would be blessed. He promised David a son who would rule forever. And through Jeremiah he promised an internal law written on people’s hearts that would surpass the external law. These promises were clues to identify the Messiah. And all the clues add up and point to Jesus. Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Savior of the world!
Perhaps Paul still referred to God’s salvation as a mystery because the revealed truth of the gospel is still baffling. Who could have envisioned that the punishment mankind’s disobedience deserves would be paid for by God himself?! Who would have dreamed that in reuniting God and man, God would become a man?! Who would have ever imagined that when God promised to never forsake us, he would actually live within us?! As Paul exclaimed in his letter to the church in Rome: “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33). Some mysteries leave us feeling hopeless of ever being resolved.
The mystery of Christ should leave us feeling awestruck. The mystery of Christ also compels us to live lives that are mysterious to others. Followers of Jesus put others before self. We find greater joy in giving than receiving. We find deeper satisfaction through serving than in being served. Showing others the glory Christ deserves is more important than gaining glory for ourselves. The mystery of Christ is not a discouragement to our hope but is our reason for hope.
-Bryan Miller, Pastor of Care
Watch the full sermon from week 6 of our Colossians series here:
Additional Resources to dive deeper into Colossians:
Jesus is All You Need: A Study in Colossians
This family devotional from The Seeds Project is a great tool to help your children learn how to study this book of Colossians.
Colossians & Philemon for You: Rooting You in Christian Confidence
This expository guide helps you unpack Colossians and Philemon verse by verse.
