December 8, 2021 — Ephesians 3  

“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles – if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of Godʼs grace that was given to me for you, that by revelation the divine secret was made known to me, as I wrote before briefly. When reading this, you will be able to understand my insight into this secret of Christ. Now this secret was not disclosed to people in former generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, namely, that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel according to the gift of Godʼs grace that was given to me by the exercise of his power. To me – less than the least of all the saints – this grace was given, to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ and to enlighten everyone about Godʼs secret plan – a secret that has been hidden for ages in God who has created all things. The purpose of this enlightenment is that through the church the multifaceted wisdom of God should now be disclosed to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly realms. This was according to the eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access to God because of Christʼs faithfulness. For this reason I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.” Ephesians 3:1–13  

Epiphanies are revelations. The history of the world is abounding with epiphanies. In the church, it is in January where we celebrate the divine Epiphany — or the visit of the wise men to the young Jesus as recorded in Matthew’s gospel (2:1–12). First noted in the fourth century, this celebration called the faithful to reflect upon the awesome reality of the Incarnation — that G-d became man; in Christ. The revelation of the incarnation prepared the way for another revelation — that the Gentiles would be joined with G-d’s people.  

For Paul, Epiphany is not just one day, but describes his entire life and calling. He preaches and preaches and proclaims the message that G-d has revealed this mystery to him. Paul mentions that he wrote about this mystery briefly before. It is not clear if he is referring to his statements in chapters 1 and 2 of this letter or if this refers to another letter to the Ephesians to which we no longer have access. 

Even if we are missing another explanation, thankfully, Paul’s description of his understanding of the mystery seems clear from the following verses. The Spirit has now made known “…G-d’s secret plan” — that what in former times was concealed he is now proclaiming — that the Gentiles are now fellow heirs, fellow members of the same body, and fellow participants in the promises. What promises? That Jesus has come, G-d in flesh, to save all people.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, your birth was the beginning of the divine Epiphany. Help us to remember your birth, your life, your death and resurrection is an invitation — that everyone is invited to the table of Grace found in Jesus Christ. Amen.

Pastor Dave