I wonder how it would feel if someone told you that you weren’t allowed to eat certain food or go to certain places because your mom and dad did not have the right papers. Your friends can go wherever they like, but you can only play with them in certain places. I can see myself hanging on to the fence, looking at my friends, so upset that they can go in, but not me.

In a way this must have been what it was like for people who weren’t Jews, who weren’t part of the people of Israel. The Jews had everything. God favoured his people and the non-Jews had to miss out, simply because their parents did not have the right papers. Fortunately, when Jesus came this season also passed for non-Jewish people.

^26-27This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone, not just Jews, to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message.

Henry commented on this as follows:

The mystery of the gospel was long hidden: it was concealed from ages and generations, the several ages of the church under the Old Testament dispensation. They were in a state of minority, and training up for a more perfect state of things, and could not look to the end of those things which were ordained.

This mystery now, in the fullness of time, is made manifest to the saints, or clearly revealed and made apparent. The veil which was over Moses’s face is done away in Christ. The meanest saint under the gospel understands more than the greatest prophets under the law. He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than they. The mystery of Christ, which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit.

It doesn’t matter what the papers say. It doesn’t matter if they say Jew or non-Jew, Christ came to break down the walls and died on the cross for everyone’s sins. Now your ancestors are no longer of concern. Your status no longer matters. The gates of heaven are open for everyone on earth. Anybody can go in.

How wonderful this must’ve been for people who’ve been looked down on or never had the chance, and who now have exactly the same benefits as all the others. The fence behind which they had to stay, wishing to be part of those on the other side, has been broken down. Now everybody can reach God.

But the best is that everyone can now share in all the wonderful promises made by God through the ages. No longer are they intended for Jews only. No, even you and I, whose parents do not come from the Jewish tradition, now also receive every life promise from God.

Think about it: Before Jesus came to earth, we couldn’t share in God and his promises at all. Therefore, so much more we have to live a life of gratitude to Jesus. Therefore, so much more we have to give Him his rightful place in our lives, daily bearing testimony of our gratitude. We must be grateful that although our papers aren’t right, we are still in line to receive God’s grace and promises every day.

All honour and glory to God and Jesus.

Go and live it!

Scripture

Colossians 1:24-27

Reflection

Do you realise that you actually do not qualify?

What did Jesus do for you?

How does your being and your life respond to this?

Prayer

Our Father, how can I thank you for all that You, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have done for us? Without your intervention we would still have been on the wrong side of the fence. To You all glory! Amen.