Daily Devotions
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Ephesians 3:8-9 (ESV) To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God.
God's Mystery Revealed in Christ
Mystery fiction is one of the most popular genres in both literature and film. The suspense, the tension, and the twist ending can be very exciting to many people. God’s plan of salvation is also a mystery of sorts. It’s not something which sinful people can solve on their own. The mystery of God cannot be solved unless God reveals it to us.

This revealing for Paul happened very directly. As the Pharisee Saul, he was knocked off his horse on the road to Damascus and received a blinding vision of Jesus who said, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4). Jesus went on to send him to a Christian named Ananias who baptized him. It was all very dramatic. The ascended Jesus Christ had appeared to Paul and revealed himself as the answer to the mystery of God.

Jesus also revealed Himself as the eternal Son of God to Peter, James and John on the Mount of Transfiguration. We can be sure that those three disciples never forgot the way their Lord revealed His glory to them there.

Although we might wish for such a dramatic intervention at times, Jesus is not going to knock you off your horse by revealing himself like He did to Paul. Nor should we expect to see His glory visibly displayed to us before His Return. Instead He has chosen a better way to reveal himself to you: in His Word. As Peter tells us “we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power . . . we were eyewitnesses of his majesty . . . when we were with him on the sacred mountain. We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:18-19).
 
Through His life-saving Word connected with baptismal water Jesus creates faith in our hearts. Through His forgiving Word in Holy Communion he strengthens and preserves us in the one true faith unto life everlasting.

When you face mysteries about your life or future, go to the one place where you know God has revealed himself: His Word. It is there that He reveals himself as your only Savior from sin, who “Came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). He reveals himself as your only true champion, who “was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). He reveals himself as your only true comforter, who gently knocks you on the head and says, “Do not be anxious about your life.” Your heavenly Father knows what things you need and promises to reveal it to you (Mt 6:8; Lk 11:13).
 
Devotion Archive: bit.ly/edevotions
Subscribe/Unsubscribe: www.redeemerclc.info/ministries