Monday June 27, 2022

Today is Monday, June 27 and we are exploring chapter three of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

I am here to meet with God. I take a few moments to still my wandering thoughts, relinquish my troubling worries and rest in his comforting presence.

Pause and Pray

Dear Lord, I treasure these precious moments with you at the beginning of my day. I know that you are with me amid all challenges and concerns. I place complete trust in you in all the circumstances of my life. Speak wisdom and guidance to me. Amen.

I look to the morning skies and praise God with the words of Psalm 19.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:1-4a

Pause and Pray

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians has six chapters. Today we begin praying through chapter three. Watchman Nee was a Chinese church teacher and Christian leader in 20th century China. He thought the book of Ephesians was about the process of Christian maturity. He separated the stages of spiritual growth using the terms – sit, walk, stand. Ephesians chapters one through three are about learning to sit in God’s love and understand who we are in Christ. Chapters four and five are about learning to walk with Christ – living a life of active love. Chapter six is about learning to stand firm and strong when we encounter false teaching, suffering, persecution, temptation or attacks of the enemy. (Watchman Nee, Sit, Walk, Stand – The Process of Christian Maturity) Paul begins chapter three by reminding believers that ancient mysteries are being revealed to them about who Jesus is and what he came to earth to do for all humanity.

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. Ephesians 3:1-4

Paul was given insight into the nature of God’s purpose and will for the world. He refers to this insight as “the mystery.” Mysterion (mystery) is a central theme of Ephesians. It is the revelation in Christ that was once hidden but was ultimately intended to be revealed. Paul discloses God’s mystery in writing so that the Ephesians could read it again and again. Now we are reading about God’s mystery also. The mystery is revealed in every generation – it is not meant to be kept secret but shared with everyone. Paul speaks to me directly today. The mystery is made known to me through the grace given to Paul. The truth of Jesus Christ is revealed to me in this time and place and I am able to understand this insight. Millenia later, in a different generation, on a different continent – the divine mystery continues to be told.

Ask: Who revealed the truth of Jesus Christ to me? How am I sharing Christ with the next generation?

Pause and Pray

Dear Lord, thank you for the grace you gave the apostle Paul to make your mystery known to me. Forgive me for seasons of doubt and disbelief. Open my eyes and reveal the truth of Jesus so that I might fully understand your amazing rescue plan for all of humanity through your son, my savior and redeemer. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. Ephesians 3:1-4

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I consider how I might be invited to sit and rest in the mystery of God’s divine will. Alongside the ancient people of Ephesus, Paul was imprisoned for me to receive the revelation of eternal mystery that once was hidden but now is disclosed to the world. I am offered insight into the mystery of Christ – I might not completely understand it but I believe it by faith. I consider how God might be speaking to me and the current state of my soul through these words of scripture. I will endeavor to carry his revelation and truth with me throughout my day.

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord, I expect to meet you in the words of holy scripture. I welcome your presence and invite you to speak truth to my soul. Continue to reveal the mysteries of your great love for me and the world you created through Jesus my Lord. Amen.

Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith. Romans 16:25-26

I leave this time of prayer celebrating the glorious mystery of the gospel, rejoicing in the grace I have been given to share God’s good news with others.

Amen