我最年长的两个孙儿，胃口大到可以在快餐店吃一份成人套餐。然而当他们在麦当劳用餐时，情形便不同了。他们需要作一个决定：他们应该点一份成人份量的套餐、还是选择附送神秘玩具的“欢乐儿童餐”呢？神秘玩具的吸引力通常都会胜出。我爱看他们打开 - 应该说是撕开 - 包装袋来察看里面的神秘玩具。他们真的是急不及待了。
使徒保罗在以弗所书中让我们看到，与上述情景相仿，他也邀请我们打开一个神秘礼包、一窥里面的东西、看看神分享给我们的是什么。有很多真理等待我们去寻求，这些任何人都可以获得的惊喜和奥秘，全都是指向神爱世人这个伟大叙事的新里程碑。神的计划包括每一个人，神的产业是为凡相信祂的人而预备。
在这卷书中，我们发现我们是蒙神接纳、拣选、和呼召去与其他跟随耶稣的人一起并肩去事奉的。我们明白得救本乎恩的意思，我们不再是神救赎计划的局外人。当我们更深入研读时，我们便会发现全然活在基督里的喜乐。
主神啊，你曾透过你的话语教导我们认识真理，又藉着基督向我们显明你奇妙的奥秘，我们感谢你。求你帮助我们看到，凡接受耶稣为救主的人，都属于你的大家庭和有份承受你的产业。奉耶稣名祈求，阿们。
以弗所书 3:1-5
1因此，我保罗——为你们外邦人做了基督耶稣被囚的，替你们祈祷。
2谅必你们曾听见神赐恩给我，将关切你们的职分托付我，
3用启示使我知道福音的奥秘，正如我以前略略写过的。
4你们念了，就能晓得我深知基督的奥秘。
5这奥秘在以前的世代没有叫人知道，像如今藉着圣灵启示他的圣使徒和先知一样。
"In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ. . . ." - Ephesians 3:4
My two oldest grandsons are quite capable of eating an adult-size meal at a fast-food restaurant, but when they are at McDonalds, something changes. There is a choice they have to make: Should they order an adult meal or the smaller, kids' "Happy Meal," with its mystery toy inside? The draw of the mystery toy usually wins out. I love watching them open—or, I should say, tear into—the package to discover the mystery inside. Their patience is definitely stretched.
The apostle Paul is introducing us to something like that in Ephesians. We are invited to open a mystery package and peer inside to discover what God is sharing with us. There is more for us to know, and the wonder and mystery being offered to all people points to a new season in the great story of God's love for the world. God's plan includes everyone. God's inheritance is for all who believe.
In this letter we discover that we are adopted, chosen, and called to serve shoulder to shoulder with all other followers of Jesus. We discover what it means to be saved by grace, and we are no longer strangers to God's plan. As we reach in for more, we discover the joy of becoming fully alive in Christ.
Lord and God, thank you for the truths laid out in your Word and for the amazing mystery you have revealed to us in Christ. Help us discover that all who believe in Jesus as Savior are part of your family and your inheritance. In Jesus' name, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
