“To whom God would make known what is the riches of the Glory of this mystery among the Gentiles—which is Christ in you, the Hope of Glory.”
Colossians 1:27
“The Mystery revealed” (Eph. 1:7-14, 18-23) is now the Hope secured.
“Christ in you.”
That’s Paul’s recurring theme throughout his writings. And, what transformation would take place in our hearts and minds if this became a living Reality in all of our lives!
We know from God’s Word that Jesus was/is “the Word made flesh” (Jn. 1:14). Known as the Incarnation, this Mystery of God Himself coming to this earth and “making of Himself no reputation, but assuming the role of a servant” (Phil. 1:7) blows our mind. And, when we realize this same omniscient Son of God willingly “humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross” (Phil. 1:8), it causes us to fall down on our knees, bow our heads and whisper, “Thank You, Lord.”
Even then, those are gratitude for past, accomplished deeds.
Today’s Manna reminds us of what happened after the Lord Jesus did that and then returned Home via the Ascension.
He promised the disciples (and us) that He would not “leave them comfortless—i.e., as orphans—but would come to them” (Jn. 14:18). And, how would He come to them/us? Quite simply by “the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit” (Jn. 14:26). Hallelujah!!
Even then, we have difficulty understanding this because it’s “beyond us.”
But, when we realize the word “Holy” means “set apart” and “Spirit” means “life,” it dawns on us that this “set apart Life” is really Jesus Himself. And, that’s what Paul was talking about when he said “Christ IN YOU, the Hope of Glory.”
Think of it, dear Pilgrim:
“Christ”. . .the long-awaited, Promised, Anointed One from God. . .Who was born of a virgin in a lowly manger in Bethlehem. . .so despised and rejected from the womb to the tomb (and even until today). . .Who died an agonizing death on the Cross for you and me. . .but rose from the grave on the third day. . .ascended into Heaven. . .and even now is interceding for us in Heaven (Rom. 8:26-27; Heb. 7:24-25). . .and one day will return in victory to this earth. . .is “IN YOU”. . .living within your heart. . .desiring that you totally surrender to Him as Lord so His Temple (your body/life—I Cor. 3:16; II Cor. 6:16) will be “holy and acceptable in your daily service/worship of Him” (Rom. 12:1).
This same One, Who calmed the winds and the waves by speaking, lives within you. This same One, Who made the blind to see. . .the deaf to ear. . .the lame to walk. . .and the dead to rise. . .lives within you and longs to do things in/through you that you can’t even begin to imagine. The key is surrender—absolute surrender—by saying, “Have Thine own way, Lord; have Thine own way.” Our only “Hope of Glory (Grk. ‘doxa’—‘honor, praise, dignity, etc.’)” is Him—Jesus, the Risen, indwelling Christ. May we live in that powerful Reality and Assurance today and then tell others how they can know Him, too.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated December 18, 2009
