This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 3:6 NIV
The mystery of Christ. A mystery that was hidden for centuries. Like any good mystery, there were clues hidden in the Old Testament. And the prophets, who delivered God’s messages to the people, recognized the clues. But they could not put them together (1 Pet. 1:10-12). However, in the days following Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit revealed the mystery to Paul and the other apostles and prophets. And they, in turn, have made it known to us.
The revealed mystery that Paul shared in this verse was revolutionary. The Jews considered themselves a people apart. God’s chosen people. And they were. But now, through the gospel, that has changed.
Now, through the gospel, we Gentiles are heirs together with Israel. What Israel was promised, and looking forward to, belongs to us as well. No longer are we on the outside looking in. Christ has destroyed the barrier that separated us. And we are now fellow citizens (Eph. 2:11-22).
We are members of one body. God does not have two people. Nor has he abandoned Israel. Instead, we have been joined together as the body of Christ. Jew and Gentile, and any other division, all are one in Christ (Gal. 3:28).
And we share in the promise of the Messiah who would deliver us, establish his kingdom, and rule. We have one Lord, Jesus, the Christ.
Jew and Gentile, together. Heirs together. Members together. And sharing together. A revolutionary thought. But part of God’s eternal plan for our redemption.
