Boundless

Ephesians 3:1-12New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

One of the things we do at the Bible Study I lead on Thursdays* is to first go through a reading and highlight any words or phrases that jump out for us.  So what would those be for you in this reading from Paul?

For me it would be: mystery, Gentiles, promise, boundless riches, everyone, and wisdom.

Sometimes I find when I do that, I get a good idea about a summary of the reading and what the text is saying.  What do these words let us know about Paul's teaching of the gospel?  What does it tell us about God's plan for the world?

As I write this today, it is the day of Epiphany, commemorating the magi coming to see and worship the Christ child.  That story sets the stage for a new way of God breaking into the world - expanding beyond the tribe that God first called and chose.  The promise, from that moment forward, has been ever moving outward, bringing "boundless riches" to the world.

There are times I think we in church still operate with a "tribe" mentality.  Who is or is not in "our tribe."  And yet God is ever moving out, expanding and growing so that we are a whole people, not simply a tribe.  

How can we join God in ever expanding the promise of the gospel outward, beyond church walls?  Beyond denominational structures? Beyond race? Beyond city? Beyond nationality? Beyond every single boundary or barrier that we have in our arsenal?

Boundless.  That's God's promise.  Boundless riches.  Boundless love.  Boundless lives.

God of all people, open the borders wide and help us to step through and reach out beyond them!  Amen

* note: for those interested, our Thursday Theology Bible Study meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at the Wegmans in Downingtown at 9:30 am.  There are no borders!  ALL are welcome regardless of church background. You'll find a group of us with our Bibles open at one of the tables in the Market Cafe.