WHO, ME?
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Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, I pray today, not only for myself, but for those you have sent out into the hard places of the world. Thank you for the voice you give us to share who you are with others in desperate need of you.
Read EPHESIANS 3:1–13
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles
3 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.
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.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Think of a plan you made that, in the end, you were grateful God changed, because his was so much better.
Have you ever thought you were heading on the right path and doing the right things, only for God to reveal a whole new direction? Paul was a Pharisee, who sought to keep the entire Law of God, so he knew how the gentiles fell short. To this zealous man, Jesus revealed a mystery, that the people Paul thought were excluded would share the same promises God had given to Israel. More than this, Paul himself would be the one to proclaim the boundless riches of Christ to them.
Following God requires humility, because we must accept that there are times when we do not see where the path leads or what the whole plan is. I wonder if God sometimes keeps these things intentionally hidden from us so that we must make the choice to trust him, rather than ploughing ahead alone. Paul was committed to his life as a Pharisee1 and he was good at it.2 He was a man of conviction and ability. When Christ revealed himself to him on the Damascus Road, Paul had a choice. Would he humble himself before God, or reject him and continue on his way? When faced with the reality of God’s plans, what do you do?
God reveals his plan: those who we might think are excluded should not be considered far from Jesus. God’s good news is for all people, the people we love and cherish, those who hate you and curse you, and those who are different from you. As the church, we display this divine wisdom to earth and heaven when we humbly walk in faith. We, too, can be messengers to people we never dreamed of. It is God’s grace, not our skill, that fuels us.
Apply
Who comes to mind as someone you think is far from Jesus? Spend time praying for them and ask God how you might bless them today.
Closing prayer
Jesus, you have made me your ambassador. Let your grace be powerfully at work in me to shape me into a messenger ready to share the riches of your love.
1 Phil 3:4–6 2 Gal 1:14
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