Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. (I Timothy 3:16 ESV)
Mystery and Understanding
I’ve been enjoying some of Agatha Christie’s mysteries. Usually, the detective in her books presents a Big Reveal towards the end of the book. All of the evidence is presented, trains of thought are followed, and THE answer to “Who dun it?” is revealed.
Whether I can follow Christie’s logic is irrelevant. Whether I like the ending is irrelevant. Whether the other characters agree with he Last Page is irrelevant.
Because the answer to the Mystery has been revealed.
The “Mystery of Godliness” is not presented here as a Great Unknown. A mystery, in the full sense of the word, is knowledge that has been revealed, not knowledge that is still hidden.
Great, indeed, is the mystery of Godliness, because we understand that the answer to the mystery is Christ Jesus.
In football, it is not the throwing of the football that wins games. It is the combination of throw and catch.
In romance, it is not the proposing of marriage that is exciting. It is the combination of question and answer.
In dining, it is not the appetizer alone that satisfies hunger. It is the combination of all the meal courses.
“Mystery” is another word that God’s people need to reclaim. In Christ Jesus, ALL the unknowns of the universe are known. In Christ Jesus, ALL the questions of the universe are answered. In Christ Jesus, ALL the unsureness of history, destiny, and decisions are made sure.
Jesus is indeed the Great Mystery. Because He is known.