Monday, September 9 - Ephesians 3

Ephesians 3

New International Version (NIV)

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ 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.

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SHOCKING NEWS
   What a surprise it must have been to people such as the Pharisees, Scribes, and Teachers of the Law that the Messiah had come not only for those who were children of Abraham, but also for foreigners and aliens.  After all, it was their understanding that they (the Jews) were God's chosen people and that the Gentiles were disfavored by God and heirs of destruction.

   Surprise, surprise, God wanted to reach all people through His Messiah, and this included people from every nation under heaven.

   Do you ever wonder what surprises you might encounter when many of God's mysteries are revealed at the End?  Will there be a person you thought would never believe in Christ, who was rescued by God's grace?  Will there be some truth that you misunderstood all your life?  Will certain past figures and personalities seem different than you expected?

   Our God is filled with surprises -- and He sometimes works in ways that shock us.  In truth, our salvation itself is shocking!  How could He open His gates to those who have rejected Him, denied Him, even crucified Him?  It seems unthinkable, but He is a God whose love elicits some amazing surprises.

    One thing will not surprise us, though, and that is that He is faithful to His promises and loving toward all He has made.  That's the character He has shown from the time of Adam and Eve and throughout the history of the world.

   May He help us bring this surprising message to a world that needs to hear it!
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⁷ I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. ⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, ¹¹ according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. ¹³ I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.