As we prepare for the coming weekend, know that in the morning, we will be looking at Mystery from Colossians 1:26-27. Here’s Clinton Arnold’s commentary on this verse from the ESV Study Bible:
The mystery does not refer to something mysterious or to a secret ritual. Rather, Paul is speaking of God’s unfolding plan for the world and, above all, his plan of redemption through the Messiah (cf. 2:2; 4:3; Eph. 1:9; 3:3–4, 9; 5:32; 6:19). Although elements of God’s design were already known through the prophets, key aspects of it were hidden for ages and generations and thus were a mystery, which could only be known and understood when they were revealed by God. This language occurs often in the book of Daniel. After God reveals to Daniel that Nebuchadnezzar’s dream foretold four successive kingdoms culminating in the kingdom of God, Daniel tells the king, “there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days” (Dan. 2:28). At the heart of the mystery that God is now revealing through Paul is the amazing hallmark of the new covenant, Christ in you, the hope of glory. God himself, in the person of Christ, will be directly and personally present in the lives of his people, and his presence assures them of a future life with him when he returns. Moreover, Christ does not reside only in believing Jews but also in believing Gentiles, so that there is one unified people of God (cf. Eph. 2:11–22; 3:2–6).
My outline is really pretty simple: it was hidden in the past and revealed to God’s people. If you really would like more reading, check out Spurgeon’s sermon on it: Christ In You. Spurgeon highlights the passage in this way…
The essence of the mystery: Christ
The sweetness of the mystery: Christ in you
The outlook of all of this: The hope of glory
Let’s ask God also to open eyes to behold the light of the Gospel flowing in the face of Christ.
In the evening, we will continue our series on Jesus, the Point of the Old Testament by jumping into the Creation in Genesis 1 and unfolding how Jesus is seen in this amazing narrative. Should be a fun night.
At any rate, this is where we’re heading this weekend. Let’s come ready to worship our Creator and Savior.