The Cross | and What It Means for Fallen HumanitySample

When we focus our attention on what we have in Christ more than our present troubles and concerns, we will not be easily moved, continuously shaken, or blown away.

To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom . . .

Colossians 1:27–28

Read also:

Ephesians 1:7; 3:16; Philippians 4:19

R E F L E C T

As Paul continues to fulfill his calling in Christ to be a minister to the Gentiles, he describes the riches of the glory of this mystery. This mystery is the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Church and who is the hope of glory. This speaks of our future hope, our resurrection, and our glorification.

Phrases such as the riches of the glory, riches in Christ, and riches of his grace are mentioned several times in the New Testament. They refer to an abundance of what people—especially believers—can have in God. In Christ, we have redemption, forgiveness (Ephesians 1:7), strength (Ephesians 3:16), and supplication (Philippians 4:19). And there’s so much more!

The hope we have in Christ and the riches of the glory of the gospel are in stark contrast to the despair and lack in our world today. We need only to look at our devices for a few minutes to be filled with hopelessness, disappointment, and anxiety. This can happen through learning about world events or even by the intense emotions we feel when we see what others are doing with their lives. But if we believe that we have the hope of glory, we have the answer to all this despair.

The biblical idea of glory has to do with the idea of one’s weightiness. Having a deeper revelation of the glory of God means that God is weighter in us than our fleeting desires, our concerns, and the cares of the world. When we focus our attention on what we have in Christ more than our present troubles and concerns, we will not be easily moved, continuously shaken, or blown away. We will be anchored in Christ.

In this particular passage of Scripture, Paul says that God chose to make known to the saints how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery. Let us therefore also proclaim Him and make this message known to others. This message can be seen in the lives of those who believe—those whose hope is in Jesus.

As believers today, may our lives reflect the message that we proclaim. May the gospel be as true to us today and every day, and may we continually be changed by it. May Jesus Christ, the hope of glory, be seen in all we do and are. May we proclaim this hope with all our lives.

R E S P O N D

• When did you first hear the gospel? How did it change your life? Reflect on a change in your life that family members or friends would not be able to explain without undeniably pointing to the work of God.

• How can the truth that Jesus is the hope of glory affect your life today and every day?

• Is there anything that may be hindering you from being Christ’s witness? Ask God for the courage and willingness to let Him change you and to proclaim the gospel to those around you.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for choosing to make Christ known to us. He is our hope of glory. Thank You for the riches of His grace that we can experience every day. May we be anchored in Christ no matter what. May we proclaim Christ with our words and very life.

In Jesus’ name, amen.