09.20.06 thequest UPdate

thequest family,

Last week, I hit a verse that just smacked me. In the context, Paul is describing the "mystery" of God's Story. That "secret plan" that was more than the Old Testament sacrifices. It was more than just a Messiah.

It was a secret plan that had been revealed--Jesus--the Messiah and the Son of God. Jesus, the way for God's Chosen People--the Jews, and the way for the people on the rest of the globe, to have a right relationship with God.

But the mystery or secret plan went beyond even a right relationship and went to God's very presence with those who follow Jesus. Paul made mention of it as "Christ in You, the hope of glory. (Col 1:27)" Jesus' actual PRESENCE in His people. God was no longer trapped in the Holy of Holies or behind a curtain, He was WITH His people.

Paul shared that this amazing message was revealed to him and he was to pass it on. His concern was for the Colossian followers of Jesus to understand that "mystery." He went on to write this:


I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God's mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

(Colossians 2:2-3 NLT)

God's "mysterious plan" was Jesus himself. And Paul wanted to the Colossians (and us) to get that. That is amazing enough.


Then I got smacked by the tag line... In Him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Jesus...He is a storage place of treasure. A person that is to be explored. He is simple and complex. He has much hidden. In fact, if we want to pursue wisdom and knowledge...it is all found in Jesus! It isn't wrapped up in mid-day TV with a lady whose name starts with "O" or in an Asian philosophy that starts with "Z". All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in "JC"--Jesus Christ.

Another wise word from Proverbs came to me...

"It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them." (Prov 25:2 NLT)

It's our privilege to go look for the hidden treasure. Our privilege as His followers is beyond having Jesus in us. It is that we get to know HIM. We get to go searching and discovering Jesus--and the wisdom which is found in Him.

So as I challenged our Assembly, Won't you dive in and EXPLORE JESUS?!?!?! He has hidden treasure that is waiting for you. Go get it!

Press On,

Mike

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