Day 3
Ephesians 3: 1- 21
Jesus broke down the wall that separated the Jews and the Gentiles creating one new man in Christ, the Church without a wall. This is the mystery of God’s will (Ephesians 1: 9-10) revealed. In Christ, there are no Jews nor Gentiles, no slaves nor free, no male nor female, no Greek nor barbarians, Galatians 3:28.
VV 1-7, 1For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles, 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 of which I became a minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of His power.
For ministering to the Gentiles, Paul was in thrown into prison. Paul considered himself a prisoner of Jesus Christ, not a prisoner of the Roman Emperor. He was a prisoner of Jesus Christ for dispensing God’s grace to the Gentiles, bringing the Jews and Gentiles together as one new man in Christ, the Church of Christ, the mystery of God’s will revealed by the Holy Spirit. Paul was made a minister to the Gentiles by the grace of God and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
VV 8-13, 8 To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; 10 to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him. 13 Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Paul, the greatest apostle, considered himself the least of all the Christians. Paul was so humble. He knew that he was a sinner and a saint. He was once a blasphemer, persecutor, and murderer of Christians but the Lord saved him. The riches of Christ are inexhaustible and unsearchable. God’s wisdom was revealed to principalities and powers in heavenly places. Paul’s imprisonment was part of God’s big divine plan. Therefore, do not be disheartened or feel sorry for him at his tribulations.
VV 14-19, 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height, 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Paul said he can pray. There is nothing more important than prayer. Prayer is the best thing you can do for others. When you take the time to pray for others, it will have a great impact on their lives. For this reason, Paul prayed to the Father, through the Son inspired by the Holy Spirit. He prayed that Christ may be at home in our hearts by faith. He prayed for us to be rooted and grounded, firmly stabilized, in love. The width, the height, and the depth of the love of God is the cross. God’s love is long enough to be eternal and broad enough to be inclusive, and deep enough to bring us to heaven. The love of God is limitless and unsurpassable. Philippians 4:7, ”and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.
VV 20-21, 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
This is a doxology, benediction, prayer, and promise to claim. If we take the time to pray regularly, persistently, consistently, and by faith, Jesus will do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we can ever imagine or think. Christ is the peace who broke down walls so that even principalities and powers in heavenly places can see it. Today If you are locked in for whatever reasons, you can free yourself in your inner man by praying.
