City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

⁴ When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. ⁶ This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Ephesians 3:4-6 (ESV)

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s scriptures identify an age-old mystery that is now made plain and open to the Church: that all people, whether Jew or Gentile, can partake of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 

What a beautiful truth to embody and embrace. God has uniquely woven us all together through Christ. Up until the good news of the gospel the Jews were considered “insiders,” so to speak, when it came to the things of God. Everyone else was an “outsider,” doomed to live apart from God. And even the Jews, who had knowledge of and access to God, could only experience His Presence to a limited degree. 

This unfolding mystery of Christ truly is a radical and refreshing departure from the previous pigeonhole. It means we don’t have to qualify for (and we can’t be disqualified from having) a relationship with God. All we have to do is recognize our need for God and receive Him. That’s it. 

These verses also display God’s desire for us to be at peace with Him and with each other. The things that divided us before no longer have to. Sin, which is ultimately what divided us from God and others has been dealt with on the cross. Believing in the truth of Christ sets us free. God has redeemed us from the curse and created us anew in Christ. Let’s live like it! 

Application

Do you approach God and others in light of the revealed mystery of Christ stated in today’s verses? That which was previously hidden in generations past has now been revealed. Do you live like it? 

If not, try it today. Share a meal with someone you normally would not hang out with. Throughout His ministry on earth, Jesus built bridges, and He did so in seemingly the most ordinary ways–going over to someone’s house for dinner or asking a woman by the well for a drink of water. That may not seem like a big deal to us, but at the time, those were bold decisions that were highly controversial and counter-culture. 

Live in the freedom Christ won for us. Be compassionate and curious about others. Don’t be afraid of rejection. Stay open to what God would have you do in that situation. 

Prayer

Father God, thank You for Your creativity that is displayed in humanity. You have created all of us to be unique and different not to divide us, but to unite us into a stronger whole through Christ. Keep us united as a church body. I come against fear and ask You to open my eyes to any prejudice I may have fostered over the years. That’s not who I am. Because of what Christ did, I can now live at peace with You, others, and myself. Thank you, my wise and holy King. In Jesus’ name, amen.