The whole world is out on a search. They are searching for something. Some who are articulate enough would tell you that they are searching for meaning. Some would say they are out there to get happiness. The world is always on the pursuit of something. Most are unaware of their own pursuit. But nevertheless they are searching. They are trying to figure out something.
Now, you tell a man that “you are searching for God”, he wouldn’t agree. When they tell you that “we are searching for the meaning of life”, in effect they are searching for the creator because man, apart from his creator has no reason for his existence. Most are on the lookout for something without knowing it.
We find a picture of this in the Old Testament of the Bible. Turn to the 2nd chapter of the book of Daniel. Here’s king Nebuchadnezzar who saw a dream and wants the interpretation. He doesn’t tell the dream for the fear of empty interpretation that you get from most learned men. So he demands that the dream be told and as well the interpretation be revealed.
26 The king asked Daniel (also called Belteshazzar), "Are you able to tell me what I saw in my dream and interpret it?"
The King is a picture of the world. The world wants you to tell them what they are searching for and as well reveal the mystery. Could Daniel reveal the mystery and as well tell the king his dream? No sir. He couldn’t. Look at him reply the king in the very next verse.
27 Daniel replied, "No wise man, enchanter, magician or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about,
Daniel is the picture of the Church/Christians today. Can the Christians reveal the mystery to the world? No, they can’t! Who can? See Daniel's reply in Vs 28. Only God in heaven can reveal mysteries.
28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.
Only God can reveal mysteries. The Christians cannot interpret the mystery on their own just Daniel couldn't on his own.
This story is the picture of the world and the New Testament Christians today. The world is waiting for someone to reveal the mystery. That’s why there’s a craze for all kinds of self-help gurus and books. People are searching for something unawares. Who can reveal the mystery? Only God can. Whom does he use? He uses the Christians just like he used Daniel.
Why did God reveal the mystery to Daniel? Daniel gives the answer in the 30th verse -
30 As for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because I have greater wisdom than other living men, but so that you, O king, may know the interpretation and that you may understand what went through your mind.
The only reason God revealed it to Daniel was that so the king may know the interpretation. The only reason that God reveals his mysteries to the Christians today is that the world will come to know the interpretation. Look at the exact parallel passage of this in the New Testament. Turn to Colossians1:26,27
26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
It is the exact parallel passage to that of Daniel 2nd chapter. The mystery is now disclosed to saints just like it was made known to Daniel. That they may make known the mystery to the gentiles/world. What is the mystery? The mystery which is “Christ in you the hope of glory”. Christ in us is the gospel.
Let me paraphrase it for you the verses – 26The mystery that was kept hidden till Jesus came to this earth is revealed to you the Christians. 27God has chosen you to reveal this to the world. Reveal what? This, that Christ lives in you and that because of that you have a hope of eternal life.
This is our duty. To reveal to the world the Christ life. When the world sees us it needs to see this mystery revealed. It needs to see Christ in us. That’s the only reason God saved us and revealed this life in us.
What is your life?
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