Ephesians Devotionals
Bob Morris
Why Mission? (Ephesians 3:8-9)
Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
In our world, knowledge is power. For the Christian, knowledge is obligation. We know something that not everyone knows. Rather than use this “insider knowledge” (mystery) to claim some exclusive privilege or advantage over others, Paul felt a compulsion to share the good news of the boundless riches of Christ with the Gentiles.
An Arab proverb says, “The worst crime in the desert is to know about water and not tell anyone.” So it is with the gospel. Life-giving water is available – let us tell everyone where to find it. The word “preach” does not mean harangue or brow-beat or even orate; literally it is to “announce good news”. The second word Paul uses is “photizo” (“make plain”) to everyone, which is just as non-confrontational a process.
Announcing the good news was not some teeth-gritting duty but a privilege and a grace. Paul had been given something; now he had the opportunity to give something to others. What he had to give was virtually inexpressible, indescribable, and inexhaustible. It is what the Good News Bible calls “infinite” – the boundless riches of Christ.
Here then is the second motive for mission: we have the opportunity to enrich, not impoverish, others. We do not offer people some arbitrarily restrictive religious rules that threaten to take away all joy and freedom; rather, we offer abundant life, real freedom, and “every spiritual blessing” Paul described in Ephesians 1: 3-14.
Do we feel inadequate for the job? Beware – that is the first qualification for it! Jay Leno, the comedian, had a fifth-grade teacher who said, "If Jay spent as much time studying as he does trying to be a comedian, he'd be a big star." Often it turns out that our greatest weakness is God’s strength. Paul, without a trace of false humility, could say that he was the least of all the Lord’s people, because he was “once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man” (1 Tim.1: 13 and 1 Cor. 15: 9). For every one of us, our sins and weaknesses disqualify us. For every one of us God’s grace given to us qualifies us.
Father God, we thank you for the privilege you have given us of knowing your plans and helping to carry them out. Help us by your grace to share the good news with boldness and joy.
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