Thursday's reading is Ephesians Chapter 1
This is a truly wonderful passage! There's so much in it. God chose us before the world began (4). He gives us redemption by the blood of Christ (7), forgiveness of sins by God's grace (7 again!). Adoption in God's family (5), the gift of the Holy Spirit (14). Verses 3 to 14 in one way read like the index to a theology book. Themes are introduced and dismissed in two sentences, with a desperate hurry to get on to the next theme. And yet there is nothing list-like or indexy about the passage. It is full of the most amazing passion. This isn't a theological text, this is pure passion for Jesus shining through!
Paul goes on to tell the Ephesians about his prayers for them. He constantly gives thanks for them (16) - there's a challenge for us. How often do we simply give thanks for our fellow believes. He prays that the Holy Spirit might help them to know God better (17), and understand better the calling that they have (18).
Paul devotes the last 5 verses to the headship of Jesus. Christ was raised from the dead, and now sits at God's right hand (20) There has never been, nor will there ever be, anything or anyone more powerful than Jesus (21). He rules over everything (22) and He is the head of our church, which is called to be His body (22-23).
I doubt if there are another 23 consecutive passages in the bible that cover so much of our faith. If I were to be washed up on a desert island, and were to find one page of the bible washed up with me, my hope would be that it was this page.
Only three more days to go for our reading plan. Have people been finding this helpful? Would anyone like to carry on, maybe with choosing a book of the Bible to work through? If you have any thoughts, drop me an email.
