I love a good story. And one genre that I and many other people love are mysteries. There are tons of books, movies, TV shows and one page magazine stories all dedicated to this intriguing genre.
I love when the author puts clues into the story from the very beginning, it shows a well thought out plan, that they knew what they were doing... Because once you get to the reveal, the little hints all start to add up and reveal the conclusion, and it becomes obvious - this was the author's plan from the beginning, this is the mark of a really good mystery.
God has done this. He has authored the greatest mystery ever to be told.
The new testament is peppered with the word but I would say there isn't anything particularly awe-inspiring about a mystery in itself, most of the time as a character's story [or real life] is working it's way along there are things that don't make sense; confusion, pain, heartbreak and wondering. We don't have the answers to our own life questions - or anybody else's, why did this or that happen to me, we don't know the future. Like in a novel we only know what has so far taken place.
And so the awe is not in what is not yet known in regards to 'the mystery of the gospel', but in what has already been revealed!
The words of this song convey it better than I ever could -
Come behold the wondrous mystery, in the dawning of the King
He the theme of heaven’s praises, robed in frail humanity
In our longing, in our darkness, now the light of life has come
Look to Christ, who condescended, took on flesh to ransom us.
Come behold the wondrous mystery, he the perfect Son of Man
In his living, in his suffering, never trace nor stain of sin
See the true and better Adam, come to save the hell-bound man
Christ the great and sure fulfillment of the law, in him we stand.
Come behold the wondrous mystery, Christ the Lord upon the tree
In the stead of ruined sinners hangs the Lamb in victory
See the price of our redemption, see the Father’s plan unfold
Bringing many sons to glory, grace unmeasured, love untold
Come behold the wondrous mystery, slain by death the God of life
But no grave could e’er restrain him, praise the Lord, He is alive
What a foretaste of deliverance, how unwavering our hope
Christ in power resurrected, as will we be when he comes.
A mystery is: "something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain" And yes, it is certainly impossible to understand because His ways and thoughts are so above our own!
I'm going to step into the role of detective for just a second, though I don't understand or comprehend all of these things He has done and revealed I will suggest the motive. Love.
The song above and the whole of the bible tells us what has (so far) been revealed.
And... it is just so amazing!
And oh yea, God is not done working and revealing His plan for us all yet! Hallelujah!
