Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
1 Timothy 3:16

At the end of a chapter in which the Apostle Paul lays out the required qualifications for Pastors and Deacons, he says, “I’m writing this to you so that in case I’m delayed you may know how to behave in the household of God, in church.” And then he ends with this description of the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ, calling it the great “mystery of godliness.” It reads like a quote from a poem, or a hymn of praise.

It’s a mystery, all right: something that was hidden until God revealed it. Neither the human race nor the angels in Heaven nor the devil knew what God was doing until the incarnation, and then the mystery was revealed. At His birth the angels rejoiced, and all the things that this verse describes began to happen.

Besides becoming the atoning sacrifice that takes away our sin and guilt, the Lord Jesus personified godliness, showing us how to live in the constant awareness of God’s presence, setting the example for us to follow.

Why does this come at the end of a chapter explaining how Christian leaders should live? There’s another mystery for us to ponder.

Lord, fulfill this mystery in my life. Show me what it means as I live today. Amen.

Pastor Dan Giles