December 5 - Colossians 1:27

“To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

Have you ever taken the time to examine the night sky in all its starry glory? Living in Kansas City, you likely struggle to see much of anything in the sky. Most of the beauty of the starry host is hidden. The bright glow of city lights or the clouds are enough to hide the stars from our vision. 

Even with a clear night sky away from the city lights, our eyes are only able to see the closest and brightest stars. We need the aid of telescopes to reveal God’s handiwork in the heavens. Just as the stars are obscured from our sight, God’s plan for salvation through His Son was once hidden from view.

Paul told the Colossians that at one time, God’s full redemptive plan was a mystery hidden (1:25-26). The Old Testament foreshadowed the coming of Christ and the inclusion of the Gentiles into His kingdom. But now, the mystery of the gospel has been revealed to all people. In Colossians 1:17, Paul describes this revealed mystery as “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” This phrase speaks to two truths. 

First, Christ indwells us. We have His presence with us and are fully included in His kingdom. Second, it speaks to our hope for an eternal future with Christ. God has revealed to us the current presence of Jesus and the future hope of resurrection with Jesus. In this Advent season take a moment to praise Him for the splendor of His redemptive plan, fulfilled in Christ.