THE COSMIC CHRISTEgzanp

What is Paul’s mission? What was his calling? What was his authority for writing in this way to the Christians in Colossae? 

He recalls here his conversion. At that moment, he was called by the Lord to become the servant of the gospel. Since then, he dedicated himself to the spreading of the good news – the word of God in total. This was the word about Jesus, in whom the fullness of the deity dwelt bodily. 

And this news was a revelation of an age-old mystery. The news about Jesus Christ was a disclosure of what had been planned by God deep in the mists of time. It had been hidden even from the patriarchs and kings and prophets of Israel, though they knew it in part. But now, in the present time the Colossians – and all subsequent Christians! – know the ancient secret: Jesus Christ is Lord. They – and we – have the privilege of knowing what had been planned and promised all along. 

To the Lord’s people – those who have believed in the Christ, the Son of God – God has determined to reveal the news of his plan to redeem. This old-time ‘mystery’ has been given to them, of all people. They are now living evidence of the revelation of God’s plan to save the nations, because Christ is in them. The ‘glorious riches’ of God’s stratagem to fulfil his promises is evident in their lives, because they now have the hope that had been denied them before. They, of all people in the world, possess a treasured hope, for Christ is in them. 

Prayer

Father of heavenly glory, change me so that the hope of glory can be seen in me – and that I would be, in my life, a further revelation of your extraordinary gospel. Amen.