Colossians 1:27 — To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Have you ever read a mystery novel, watched a mystery movie, or attended a mystery theatre show? Mysteries are enjoyable. In a mystery you are left guessing and wondering about what is happening. You may be trying to solve the riddle of who killed the person. It could be a mysterious visitor to the town that you are looking for clues about his origin. Mysteries are thrilling. And we love trying to solve them. 

Paul writes to the Colossians’ church about the gospel as a mystery. In Colossians 1:27 he says God chose to make known among the Gentiles the riches of the glorious mystery which is Christ in you. The mystery is that Christ in you is the hope of glory. What does that mean? 

For thousands of years, the Jews believed they were the only ones with access to the Living God. They were in a covenant relationship with Yahweh and they considered Gentiles outside the promise and excluded from the kingdom. But the coming of Jesus into the world to die for sinners at the cross and be resurrected from the grave was a justifying work not only for Jews, but for Gentiles. The good news for the Gentile world was that access to God was available to them. 

The glorious mystery was that through Christ, they were not only reconciled to God, but indwelled by God’s Spirit with a hope for eternal glory. This indeed was a mystery for the ages. The plan of God always intended to bring the Gentiles in. The Christ was always a cosmic Christ, not just a national Savior. This mystery was proclaimed to the Gentiles so that they might enter into the hope of glory.

This mystery is still the message the church proclaims today. We as believers are still telling of this mystery to the world. They can be reconciled to God through Christ, the hope of glory. Share it today with someone. Speak the mystery and show how Christ is the answer to their heart’s longings and desires. 

Reflection & Journal:

- Why is the gospel often referenced as a mystery?

- How should we receive this mystery (good news) of Christ as the hope of glory? 

- Who is in your life that you should make this known to?

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