Friday, February 19, 2021

Today’s reflection is written by Deacon Karen Katamay.

“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.” —Colossians 1:27

The mystery of God. How much do you feel you know about God and God’s will? When Job thought he had all the answers, God responded with a long lecture about how little Job actually did know or understand (see Job, chapters 38-41).

In my Lutheran theology class at seminary, we learned about Luther’s theology of the Hidden God vs. the Revealed God. Luther explained that God reveals himself to us through Jesus and through the words in the Bible, but God’s glory and majesty and wisdom are much greater than we could ever fully comprehend, so a part of God and God’s will for people and creation will always be beyond our understanding.  

Jesus once told his disciples that he spoke in parables because most people would not bother to try to fully understand what he was saying or even ask for an explanation. They were not like little children who love stories and love to learn; they had closed their minds to what Jesus was trying to reveal to them. Only those, such as the disciples, who stayed close to Jesus and listened to his teachings could even begin to understand. And even then the disciples would have to ask Jesus, “What does this mean?”

We are fortunate that God sent Jesus so we could even begin to understand. And every time we read the Bible, listen to a sermon, or attend a Bible study, a little bit more understanding is revealed to us. Yes, part of God’s will and God’s nature will always be a mystery to us. But we can relish in what we do know—the glory and hope that is revealed to us through Christ. Amen.