It had been 400 years since any major announcements from God came. No new prophets to guide the people. Had God forgotten His promises? Was He lax in His fulfillment of all His covenant promises? Let me ask you. Have you ever felt abandoned by God? Deep within my heart, I long for His return. Perhaps I would say it is because of all that is going on around me. But truth be told, it is more because of all that goes on within me. The more I know of Him, the clearer I see how far my heart is from truly loving as I should. My impatience and flaws glare back at me. I long to be transformed. Yet, there was a wondrous mystery revealed clearly by the miracle of Jesus Birth, life, death, and resurrection. How was it revealed and what can that mean for me and you?
Silence did not mean that God was not at work preparing the stage for the Birth of Jesus and the Church’s ministry. During the 400 years, the prophecies of Daniel had marched forward exactly as foretold. It was during this period that the people faced many invasions and trials. There came a moment when “Antiochus IV Epiphanes offered a pig to the Olympian God Zeus in the Holy of Holies. His actions ignited the Maccabean revolt that resulted in a period of independence (for Israel). That freedom survived until Rome (the fourth empire) sent her armies to capture Jerusalem and to establish Roman rule through governors granted power by the Emperor”[1]
“Judaism changed dramatically during the silent years. The former idolatries that had driven the nation into exile were no longer tolerated. Chasidim (“separate ones”) began to demand purity and a return to God’s Word.”[2]
The Wondrous Mystery
Roads were built. Languages spread. Civilizations grew in knowledge and trade. All laid the perfect groundwork for what was to come next. The mystery of the church was about to be born.
Then, the silence was broken as John the Baptist was miraculously born. The prophet chosen to announce the Messiah to the world.
In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.’ ”
4 Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him 6 and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. Matthew 3 (NKJV)
Did John Know the Wondrous Mystery?
Did John fully realize that Jesus would usher in the church age? Most likely he was not aware of all that was to come. He knew that Jesus was the Messiah. Jews believed He was coming to free them from Roman tyranny. They did not believe He must first free them from their own tyrannous hearts. John at first may not have been aware that Jesus came to die on a cross. He was to be the perfect sacrifice to wash away the sins of the world. Truly only Jesus could pay the penalty of sin for human race, erasing their debt and providing a means of atonement. Only Jesus could wash their hearts whiter than snow, cloaking them in His righteousness. He did that for all even knowing that only some would accept this gift and others would reject His perfect gift of love.
Yet the Mystery Was Revealed:
Even though God knew some would choose their own selfish hearts and desires over His gift of Glory. He knew some would want to do it their way, to pride to bow in repentance. Despite His knowing all this, He still sent His Son to pay the price for all humanity. But you see, salvation cannot be theirs until they by faith believe that God is and humbly repent knowing He is the only way, the truth, and the life. In spite of all those who would reject Him, He still ushered in the church age to spread the good news of the gospel to the whole world.
“The Church Age” was not named as such, yet. However, it is the mystery Paul so often writes of.
Ephesians 3: (NLT)
3 As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. 4 As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. 5 God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.
6 And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.
8 Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 9 I was chosen to explain to everyonethis mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.
10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.
12 Because of Christ and our faith in him,we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.
The Wondrous Mystery Revealed in The Miracle of Jesus Birth
Would anyone think it a chance happenstance that Joseph and Mary were sent to travel to Bethlehem at the exact time Jesus was to be born? The decree came from the Roman Government, and they had no choice but to comply. Ah, so who had the Roman Government make such a decree? Was it God Himself? Though the Roman officials that it was their order. They were unaware, God was on His Throne even in what they did. God does that. He is in control of all, even when the worst of rulers perform their evil. God has them in perfect checkmate all the same.
So, Mary and Joseph obeying the decree went to Bethlehem. After all, it had been prophesied that Jesus would come from Bethlehem. But it was much more than merely that. The sacrificial lambs were birthed in a manger in Bethlehem where they were carefully wrapped in “swaddling clothes” and laid in the manger to keep them free from any blemish. How perfect that there was no inn for Mary and Joseph! Jesus was the perfect, unblemished sacrificial lamb who came to pay the price for our sins once and for all. It is no wonder the shepherds were told first, and they knew where to go. They would understand. To them was revealed the fullness of the mystery.
Luke 2:8-18
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwilltoward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
What about Mary? Did she know the wondrous mystery?
Did she know her son was the sacrificial lamb? Or was that sorrow withheld from her? How hard would that have been to know. Yet, she pondered what the shepherds said in her heart. She would come to realize this, but perhaps God graciously hid this truth from her for a while. It would have been a burden too great for a human mother’s heart. He had to prepare her for that part of the wondrous mystery and miracle of Jesus’s purpose and place on earth.
The Wondrous Mystery of Salvation
Jesus Christ left all the Glory of Heaven to come to earth that He might be the perfect Son of Man and still be Son of God. Only He could pay the price for our sin. What love is that! Yet, it was exactly the day Daniel foretold that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey as also foretold by the prophets. Every detail, so exact that he might be the perfect sacrifice. And He bowed His head, declaring “It is Finished” at the exact moment that lambs began to be sacrificed at the temple. The earthquake tore the curtain in two. Everything had been dark for 3 hours as the wrath of God poured out upon His Son. The wrath that should have been mine.
Oh, perhaps there are moments when I think I am doing so much better, and then it takes only one day to flip it all upside down and I remember how wretched my heart really is. Then I am reminded.
Romans 8: 18-25
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of [f]corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.
Oh, how my heart moans for His return. Only then will my heart be able to purely love as He loves. I will one day look like Him. And I long for that day when I no longer love with this imperfect heart. Then, I will understand it all. What a glorious day that will be. Until then, my greatest desire is to know Him more each day. And to shine for His light into a dark world in need of a Savior. Until that glorious day I will pray to delight always in Him so I might rest in His love, hence glowing forth His grace to all of whom I meet.
And What is that Wondrous Mystery Revealed in the Birth Of Jesus?
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight Colossians 1 (NKJV).
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.
Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.
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DISCLOSURES
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2021
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. Furthermore, I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits
New King James Version (NKJV)
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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[1] May, Iva; The 14 Eras: Copyright 2009, page 28
[2] IBID.