Marvel
Marvel® Entertainment has unintentionally coopted the word “marvel.” I am an adult – my wife may differ, but I enjoy some Marvel movies. Still, there is so much more to the word “marvel” than graphic novel characters. I recently read a commentary on Ephesians 3:21, and the author painted such a beautiful picture of this verse that I sat back and marveled at God’s word. It so impressed me that I want to share it with you.
The passage of Scripture
20 Now to Him [God] who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians 3:20-21 NASB
Here is what I found from the commentary on verse 21 by Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: “in the Church – The Church is the theater for the manifestation of God’s glory.” Isn’t that a beautiful picture? And more importantly, this commentary is accurate. When we look for it, we can find it right in Ephesians 3:10 (NLT):
God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
We’re on stage
God is the God of purpose. Jesus, the Son of God, came from heaven to earth (John 6:38) to provide the means for salvation and to train the first ministers and missionaries (the apostles) of His Church. But His Church is more than the people of His Church. His Church is a stage, it is the theater where God presents the work of salvation and ensuing results through redemption. This means, for Christians, we’re on stage!
Who are the spectators of God’s glorious works which are presented in His theater? Some of the spectators are, “To the unseen rulers and authorities in heavenly places.” God’s presentation of the act of salvation and the works that flow from salvation centers in Christ Jesus. This phrase, “in Christ Jesus,” is understood to mean that all of this glory centers in Jesus. Jesus is of the One God who has made salvation and the Church available to humanity. And all of the glory of this is in Christ Jesus, the One who paid for (redeemed) salvation and the Church.
Fitified
I enjoy live theater, but if the show runs too long, I get fitified. I become eager to leave the confines of a packed audience – this is no longer a problem, thanks to COVID.😞 Still, how long is the manifestation of God’s glory in the Church? It is “to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” I know I won’t be fitified in His Church; ever!
You may like: Local Churches