God’s Most Mysterious Gift

Key Verses: “In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in Heaven and on earth under Christ.” Ephesians 1: 7-10 (NIV)

When I was a child, I loved to get Christmas gifts from my precious Grandmother.  She would often wrap all kinds of trinkets in one large box, and it was often the first gift under our tree.  I would sit staring at it for days trying to visualize what treasures could be inside, but it would remain a mystery until I unwrapped it on Christmas morning.  

As wonderful as my Grandmother’s gifts were, they do not compare to the gift God gave to us that glorious night long ago in Bethlehem. The night that God came down from Heaven and wrapped himself in flesh to dwell among us by giving us the precious gift of His Son.

In Paul’s letter to the early church at Ephesus in Ephesians 1:7-10, Paul celebrated the mystery of God’s will with them by saying this:

“In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in Heaven and on earth under Christ.” Ephesians 1: 7-10 (NIV)

This mystery of His will was like a priceless gift they had already opened and received.  (Ephesians 2:8)  A gift others will never understand its worth unless they open it and experience it for themselves.  

This unique gift is something even the angels desired to look into and couldn’t. (I Peter 10:12)  God’s most special gift of amazing grace wrapped up in redemption’s bow sits waiting for those to unwrap by accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. (Ephesians 1:7) It waits patiently at the Cross for every single “whosoever will” to come and experience for themselves. 

This amazing gift of unfathomable love and the immeasurable riches of God will continue to be enjoyed throughout eternity. (Ephesians 1:10) Indeed, it is the gift that keeps giving. 

This Christmas, I pray you find many glorious gifts under your tree.  I hope all your Christmas dreams come true. But I pray most of all that you open God’s beautiful gift to you.  I pray you to experience it for yourself this year and every year.  This wonderful gift is unlike any other. This amazing gift called Salvation. 

Merry Christmas! 

See you again in the field in the coming New Year, 

Susan