In fact many people looking at the world from a secular perspective even blame these beliefs on the religious divisions that then lead to civil strife. It definitely is not seen as the heart of all possible reconciliation.
I am reminded at Easter to live out of the mysteries noted by Paul in Scripture. All of them are mysteries that are unleashed in the power of the resurrection. Ephesians 1:20 (MSG) says: “God raised Christ from death and set him on a throne in deep heaven, in charge of running the universe…no name or power exempt from his rule.” We are challenged in vs. 19 to know the hope to which God calls us that is based on that same power which raised Christ from death to overcome it forever.
The mysteries that are then unveiled are:
- Romans 11:25-26: The rejection of Christ by the Jews in order that the full number of nations may come to know God.
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-57: In Christ death has lost its power. The message says “in a single stroke of Life, all three – sin, guilt, death – are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ.” Thank God!
- Ephesians 3: 6-11: Gentiles and Jews are now heirs together so that, through the church, God’s power would be on display in the whole universe. WOW!
- Ephesians 5: 30-33: Love in marriage is a symbol of Christ’s relationship to the church. It becomes one. What does that say about how the church needs to reflect that love?
- Colossians 1: 26 – 27:3: Christ is in us! The Message concludes here with “all the richest treasures of wisdom and knowledge are imbedded in that mystery and nowhere else.” We are God’s co-workers exercising that wisdom.
May you have a Blessed Easter, and may Christ’s mysteries continue to unfold for you in increasingly powerful ways as we work together!
Keep praying for our work and our teams!