Colossians 4:2-6
It was just after 12:20 a.m. on March 8 when Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport with 227 passengers and 12 crew members, headed to Beijing, China. About 45 minutes into the flight, air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane and a mystery was born that kept people glued to their TVs for days and weeks.
Unfortunately, the search for the plane produced more questions than answers, leaving the affected families and viewing public frustrated, bewildered and angry. How can you lose an airplane of this size and with this many people on board when technology is so sophisticated that it can track your every turn with GPS and guide you to your next “country road” destination? How is it possible that there is a part of the world where satellite and radar tracking is so sparse that you cannot monitor a plane flying in the wrong direction with potentially deadly consequences? After all, we know exactly where Russian troops are amassed on the border of Ukraine and even an approximate number of how many are deployed there.
As this Malaysian mystery deepened, theorists began speculating as to what could have happened on board that ill-fated flight. Was it hijacked? Was it parked in a hangar being readied for some terrorist plot? Was it death by pilot? Was it a malfunction or some other catastrophic failure? One conspiracy theorist even postulated that it might have been aliens that made the plane vanish.
What all this shows, and many more stories like it prove, is that people are intrigued by mysteries. Mysteries capture people’s attention and make them lean in to look for the answers. It’s the reason for the popularity of mystery novels and news magazine shows that take you into some “strange” occurrence that is ultimately resolved for you in the end.
However, when you think of a biblical “mystery,” as the word is commonly used in scripture (“the mystery of Christ”--Colossians 4:3; cf. 1:26, 27; 2:2), don’t think of it in the sense of the search for the missing Malaysian airliner, like a puzzle whose pieces have to be put together.
The sense of the word “mystery” in NT phraseology is not about something mystical or intriguing that can ultimately be figured out by human reasoning. Actually, as the word is commonly used in Paul’s writings, it refers to something that no one can even know or think to pursue apart from God supernaturally revealing it...making it known.
Author Ray C. Steadman catches the meaning of the word when he writes, “[This] does not mean a riddle you have to puzzle over. This word mystery is used in the New Testament of an insight into reality that is hidden from secular wisdom...It is something only revelation makes clear, so it will never be part of the human compendium of knowledge...It is a mystery, a secret about life that is hidden from the secular mind…”
In other words, the only way for a biblical “mystery” to be known is that God makes it known. That’s what the word literally means in this context…”a previously unknown truth that is now revealed by God to man.” (read: Colossians 1:26-27)
Four times (1:26, 27; 2:2; 4:3) in this letter to the church in Colossae, Paul makes mention of the “mystery” that has been revealed. And, as he closes the letter, he declares that he must make it known to others. Consequently, he asks the Colossian believers to pray for him that in communicating this “mystery” he might have three things:
1. Opportunity (“open us a door” -- 4:3; cf. 1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12)
2. Clarity (4:4 -- “manifest” -- to make clear, to make something clearly known)
3. Tenacity (to “speak” -- i.e., ...and not be timid or quiet -- 4:3, 4)
And, what was this “mystery” about which he was so passionate? He calls it, “the mystery of Christ” (4:3). Another way to say this is, “the mystery which is Christ and which Christ reveals.”
Author and scholar, Dr. William Hendrickson, explains the “mystery” this way, “...its content [is] Christ himself as the source of salvation, full and free, for both Gentile and Jew, a secret no longer concealed but now...fully revealed, and not revealed only but realized in the hearts and lives of people of every class, station, and nationality.” (Hendriksen, W., & Kistemaker, S. J. (1953–2001). Exposition of Colossians and Philemon (Vol. 6, p. 181). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House)
It’s the Good News we commonly call the Gospel that is wrapped up in the person of Christ!
This “mystery” that Paul wanted to clearly proclaim entails at least three specific things:
He wanted to make clear...
1. Who Christ is.
Who is this Christ revealed in scripture? The answer is found in His birth, His life, His death, His resurrection and His ascension.
- No one has ever been born like Him...the virgin birth.
- No one has ever lived like Him...in sinless perfection.
- No one has ever died like him...paying a penalty He did not owe (cf. Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21).
- No one has ever risen from the dead like Him...in His body, never to die again.
- No one has ever ascended to Heaven like Him...promising to return again.
He is the Christ! He is the Messiah! He is God in the flesh. He is the Savior of all who will receive Him (cf. John 1:12).
But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
...who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name… (John 1:12)
He wanted to make clear...
2. What Christ has done.
A. He satisfied the justice of God against our sin (Propitiation).
By dying in our place for our sins, Christ removed the wrath of God that we rightly deserved and turned it into favor. (Note: propitiation does not turn wrath into love — God already loved us fully. The reason he sent Christ to die is so His wrath could be turned into favor, so that His love may realize its purpose of doing good to us every day. (cf. Romans 3:25-26; Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 4:10)
B. He removes our sin from us so it will never be remembered against us (Expiation).
Not just our past sins, not just our present sins, not just our big sins, not just our little sins...but ALL OF OUR SINS! Too often, we think God is like many Christians...waiting for us to fail and then never letting us hear the end of it. THANK GOD HE IS NOT THAT WAY! (cf. Hebrews 9:26; cf. John 1:29; Isaiah 53:6)
What would our lives be like if we believed this truth?
- We would spend less time regretting the past and more time living the present.
- We would be less concerned about keeping people at "arms distance" (for fear they might discover the "real you") and be more willing to be open to those around us.
- We would justify less and confess more.
- We would spend less time licking our wounds and more time counting our blessings.
- We would find it easier to forgive others.
- We would love Christ more.
C. He reconciles us to God through His death so we are no longer alienated from Him (Reconciliation). (cf. Romans 5:10-11)
D. He sets us free from captivity to our sins (Redemption).
Because we are captives to sin, Christ paid the “ransom” price (with His death) to deliver us from that captivity. There are three things we had to be released from:
- The curse of the law (cf. Galatians 3:13-14).
- The guilt of sin (cf. Romans 3:24).
- The power of sin (cf. Romans 6:5-14; 1 Peter 1:18-19).
E. He defeated the power of Satan over us.
Satan’s only weapon that can ultimately harm people is unforgiven sin. Christ took this weapon away from him for all who believe, defeating him and all the powers of darkness in his death. (cf. Colossians 2:13-15)
He wanted to make clear...
3. What Christ is doing through His church.
Part of this incredible “mystery” Paul wanted to make known is that Christ has broken down the wall that separates us from one another that we might all be brought together in one body...the body of Christ (cf. Colossians 1:27; Galatians 3:27-28). The ground is level at the foot of the cross.
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:14-18)
One author summarizes these three truths in this way: “The heart of the revealed secret is that in Christ, Jews and Gentiles come together with equal access to the blessings of God (cf. ‘mystery of Christ,’ Eph. 3:4; ‘the mystery of the gospel,’ Eph. 6:19).” (Martin, E. D. (1993). Colossians, Philemon (p. 198). Scottdale, PA: Herald Press.) And, it’s available to all that will receive it!!
Closing Analogy:
I shook my head in disbelief. This couldn’t be the right place. After all, I couldn’t possibly be welcome here. I had been given an invitation several times, by several different people, and had finally decided to see what this place was all about. But, this just couldn’t be the right place. Quickly, I glanced down at the invitation that I clutched in my hand. I scanned past the words, "Come as you are. No jacket required." and found the location. Yes, I was at the right place. I peered through the window again and saw a room full of people whose faces seemed to glow with joy. All were neatly dressed, adorned in fine garments and appeared strangely clean as they dined at this exquisite restaurant.
Ashamed, I looked down at my own tattered and torn clothing, covered in stains. I was dirty, in fact, filthy. A foul smell seemed to consume me and I couldn’t shake the grime that clung to my body. As I turned around to leave, the words from the invitation seemed to leap out at me..."Come as you are. No jacket required." I decided to give it a shot. Mustering up every bit of courage I could find, I opened the door to this restaurant and walked up to a man standing behind a podium. "Your name, sir?" he asked me with a smile. "Jimmy D. Brown," I mumbled without looking up. I thrust my hands deep into my pockets, hoping to conceal their stains. He didn’t seem to notice the filth that covered me and he continued, "Very good, sir. A table is reserved in your name. Would you like to be seated?"
I couldn’t believe what I heard! A grin broke out on my face and I said, "Yes, of course!"
He led me to a table and, sure enough, there was a place card with my name written on it in a deep, dark red. As I browsed over the menu, I saw many delightful items listed. There were things like, "peace," "joy," "blessings," "confidence," "assurance,"hope," "love," "faith," and "mercy." I realized that this was no ordinary restaurant! I flipped the menu from back to front in order to see where I was..."God’s Grace," was the name of this place!
The man returned and said, "I recommend the ’Special of the Day’. With it, you are entitled to heaping portions of everything on this menu." You’ve got to be kidding! I thought to myself. You mean, I can have ALL of this! "What is the ’Special of the Day’ I asked with excitement ringing in my voice. "Salvation," was his reply. "I’ll take it," I practically cried out. A sick, painful ache jerked through my stomach and tears filled my eyes. Between my sobs I said "Mister, look at me. I’m dirty and nasty. I’m unclean and unworthy of such things. I’d love to have all of this, but, but, I just can’t afford it. Undaunted, the man smiled again. "Sir, your check has already been taken care of by that Gentleman over there," he said as he pointed to the front of the room. "His Name is Jesus." Turning, I saw a man whose very presence seemed to light the room. He was almost too much to look at. I found myself walking towards Him and in a shaking voice I whispered, "Sir, I’ll wash the dishes or sweep the floors or take out the trash. I’ll do anything I can to repay you for all of this." He opened His arms and said with a smile, "Son, all of this is yours if you just come to me. Ask me to clean you up and I will. Ask me to take away the stains and it is done. Ask me to allow you to feast at my table and you will eat. Remember, the table is reserved in your name. All you must do is accept this gift that I offer you."
Astonished, I fell at his feet and said, "Please, Jesus. Please clean up my life. Please change me and sit me at your table and give me this new life." Immediately, I heard the words, "It is finished." I looked down and white robes adorned my squeaky clean body. Something strange and wonderful had happened. I felt new and I found myself seated at His table. "The ’Special of the Day’ has been served," the Lord said to me. "Salvation is yours."
We sat and talked for a great while and I so enjoyed the time that I spent with Him. He told me, me of all people, that He would like for me to come back as often as I liked for another helping from God’s Grace. He made it clear that He wanted me to spend as much time with Him as possible. As it drew near time for me to go back outside into the "real world," He whispered to me softly, "And Lo, I am with you always." And then, He said something to me that I will never forget. He said..."My child, do you see these empty tables throughout this room?" "Yes, Lord. I see them. What do they mean?" I replied. "These are reserved tables...but the individuals whose names are on each placard have not accepted their invitations to dine. Would you be so kind as to hand out these invitations to those who have not joined us yet?" Jesus asked. "Of course," I said with excitement as I picked up the invitations." "Go therefore into all nations," He said as I turned to leave.
I walked into God’s Grace dirty and hungry. Stained in sin. My righteousness as filthy rags. I walked out a brand new man...robed in white, His righteousness. Jesus had certainly cleaned me up. And so, I’ll keep my promise to my Lord. I’ll go. I’ll spread the “mystery of Christ.” I’ll share the Gospel...I’ll hand out the invitations. And I’ll start with you. Have you been to God’s Grace? There’s a table reserved in your name, and here’s your invitation... "Come as you are. No jacket required."
