At last it happens! Jesus the Christ is born of a woman and is here for all to see in flesh and blood. Paul, as is often the case, is in a celebrative mood. It is as though all of creation is pulsating with his entrance into history.
Human nature has a way of enjoying secrets and naturally wants exposures to occur. We are fascinated by the possibility of something or someone being revealed. In this case it is far more than fascinating. It is thrilling beyond adequate words to depict. History seems to stop!
Our faith is deeply enriched by accepting and believing the revealed secret is for all of humankind. While it is "my gospel," as the apostle says, it is also a universal and one-of-a-kind happening that he simply attests to. But we would be impoverished without his special touch.
His words are heavily freighted in a brilliantly cast look into what God the Father had finally decided to do. It is not just a prayerful affirmation. It is a theological gem that says so much so quickly we can be caught off balance. Of course, Romans is known for that and this passage especially calls for our complete attention and study.
Focus: God's Son visibly comes on the stage of history.
Body
1. What was shrouded in holy secrecy becomes evident.
God has a way of doing these things to us, doesn't he? By this is meant, of course, not in the same magnitude as our Lord's coming but in our own personal and professional lives. For example, some of us may have learned more about ourselves and others after sixty years of age than before. Some of our questing and inquiries of a lifetime find us with answers and explanations hitherto unknown. Sometimes we discover that what we wanted to know is simply not available to us, until we have lived many years. Sometimes the surprises are so wonderful and at other times far less than wonderful! All in all, this is God's doing.
Had God been keeping something or someone from us in this holy secrecy? Well, yes, I guess so. After all, who has all of the answers here and now and forever and ever? It isn't you and me. Our experience and formal education, regardless of its quality and quantity, are never enough to make us reliable experts on much of anything. We may act like that is not true and parade our resumes across the Internet for all to admire. The reality is if the Creator of the universe and the Father of our Savior and Lord wants to keep a secret, there is nothing we can do about it! Therein lies our security and peace, as we humbly acknowledge his greatness and our littleness.
Dare we talk about or perhaps even debate the timing of the event? As we understand history, we might very well conclude the coming of Jesus and his ministry should have happened in some other generation or century. Is that blatant arrogance? I don't think so, as long as we admit our views are always severely limited and our understandings less than perfect. Frankly, I think it is healthy to theorize about other periods in history for his entrance, as long as we are willing to admit to what we are doing. Whoever became any less by testing revelation in a way that can cause us to refine our faith? Such struggles under the lordship of Christ are therapeutic and can be delightfully helpful.
The weaknesses and, I dare say, the sins of all humanity allow us to stand just so much in the ongoing and colossal conflicts of the world. If God gave us more than we could bear, he would be untrue to his word to us. Therefore, his refusal to make manifest to us people, places, and things that will strongly influence our destiny is necessary to his providential care. This is truly a safeguard for all his children — past, present, and future. We should be on our knees thanking him for omniscience solely found in the Creator of all. Have we forgotten? God does not make mistakes and with that as a part of our basic thought patterns, we are equipped to conquer all under the powers of the Holy Spirit. Failure to believe this sets us up for human errors and perhaps a lasting pattern of disappointments.
2. An extraordinary person at a particular time in history was born among us.
The Judeo-Christian tradition had already witnessed the likes of Noah, Abraham, Moses, and David. Who could ever possibly forget their genius and contributions to all of us? Then, to broaden our perspectives, we discover such luminaries as Socrates, Buddha, Confucius, and Mohammed. Mysteries and miracles surround all of them. To debate who is right or wrong becomes mostly irrelevant, largely because their impact on world history is well known. Some can and do make a case for their entry on the world scene being something of a "Christ event." Of course, much of this is well beyond our puny minds to comprehend.
There are any number of people, especially reputable scholars, who would draw comparisons. They would include Jesus in a pantheon and find him just one among several. On an intellectual level among those who seek to know world religions and philosophies in an objective sense, this seems to work very well. For those of us — including some of the intellectuals — our values in a personal Savior and Lord come to the forefront and may very well collide unceremoniously. To know Jesus as a person who continually is present in one's life means differing from others who can be what they are, with certain lines drawn. This interaction is increasingly true in our lives.
Is it tenable or even possible to absolutize, so to speak, our loyalty to the babe born in Bethlehem? This is invariably present as a problem for Christians. Yet, as those of us deeply involved in ecumenism over the years know, there is a practical answer. The search for Christian unity is just what it says it is. The focus is on Christ who wants all of us to be one. Beyond that clear understanding is the imperative of interreligious dialogue. We can do both! In fact, I do believe, we must do both. The complicated world in which we live will tolerate little else. Realistically, our "head in the sand" approach can make us virtually irrelevant to untold numbers. We proceed with such an approach, inviting perilous times.
Who are we to say our "holy secret" provides us with a monopoly on God's wisdom? Are we privy to all of God's secrets? Having stated those inquiries, I would not want to belittle in any way the revelation we have most assuredly received. The followers of Jesus, born of Mary, are special people that want to share their faith. If this creates arguments and even conflict, so be it. To do less is to deny the very extraordinary person to whom we have vowed allegiance. Faith and works come into play. We see if there is faith, then there must be works and that means some form(s) of witnessing. Hopefully, we also see that legitimate works are born of genuine faith. It is a distinct privilege to be a disciple of the "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world."
3. What God's people had been yearning to see becomes reality.
We can only imagine in faith the yearning that had taken place through centuries for the Messiah. Judaism always had a faithful remnant that was sensitive to God's promise of someone who would come and save his people. We see this especially in the prophets with Isaiah standing out. Their faithfulness generation after generation, as they waited, is certainly one of the brightest lights in all of the history of religions. Some charismatic personage would come on the scene and even do wonders for a time. It wasn't long, however, until it was evident their Messiah had not arrived. But the Jews were tough people who refused to give up, so it eventually happened.
They didn't know and probably didn't even suspect he would also be made known to non-Jews. The apostle tells us "made known to all the Gentiles." Then, he wants his Jewish brothers and sisters to know this is "according to the command of eternal God." It is a way of conveying to them that they should not look for another. Jesus the Christ was there among them. He was preaching, teaching, and healing. At times he performed miracles and the firmly entrenched Jewish hierarchy had to deal with it. Reality of messiahship was all about them but relatively few of his people believed. Then, the Gentiles are invited and guess what? They began to be believers and followers in the millions.
This is so like God, isn't it? The way is being prepared and finally is concluded with John the Baptist. The Jews had long been hungry and thirsty for their fulfillment to an already great religion. After all, didn't Jesus say quite directly that he came to "fulfill and not destroy" the Law? It is like a momentous evolutionary force was set in motion after the fall of man and is now completing its mission. Was Jesus a revolutionary? Yes, in a way, but Holy Scripture brings us a message of evolution, also. He carried with him in his teaching and behavior characteristics not unlike what they had for many, many years. So, at the end of the preparation Mary gives birth to her baby, who in most ways is a natural result of all that had gone on before.
We must never be too hard on our Jewish friends. For, after all, haven't we been guilty of refusing to see and accept the reality of our spiritual lives? Admittedly, our lack of vision may not at all be at the level of their blindness but let us not brag about our superiority. My Jewish colleagues tell me that "triumphalism" angers them more than anything else about Christians. We have seen the light and they haven't! We received, as Gentiles, the revelation secondarily. To put this matter in perspective it helps to read and ponder Romans 9, 10, and 11. While Paul must have had many enemies among his countrymen who hated him, he never gave up hope for them. Salvation is originally from the Jews and not the Gentiles. Who better to spread the gospel than a former Jewish rabbi?
4. God leaves no doubt that he has acted in a singular fashion.
The words "according to the command of eternal God" have a way of telling us this is the way it is. The will of the one and only true God, the Father of our Savior and Lord, has been done for all to see and make response. We are to have no doubt about the coming of Jesus, born of the Virgin Mary, among us. Some would label this the Almighty's unilateral action. Christians of all persuasions know this to be true and bet their lives and deaths on it. It is a sobering and awesome declaration. If you are looking for someone else, forget it. If you want to continue to expect a future Messiah, don't waste your time and energy.
The Lord God of the universe has spoken now and forevermore. Mary's son is the one, the only one Christians are called to follow. Others, such as Peter, James, John, and Paul, will provide guideposts through their witness and writings, but this Jewish baby boy is the one who provides salvation. Through him comes forgiveness of our sins. Our repentance that is made to anyone or anything else will not fall on inconsequential ground. What is needed to be brought into full view has happened. No more wandering for those waiting for the ultimate to appear. He is among us and the heavens shout their approval. Praises be to God the Father for his Son, Jesus the Christ! For those of us living it is a preeminent privilege to know the event happened once and for all.
The "only wise God" reveals his secret at precisely the right moment he has chosen. It is not one of generalities but one of the decidedly particular. All wisdom that matters resides in him and is dispensed as he deems fit. What greater security can there be? We have hope in someone far bigger and better than ourselves. Those who seriously follow Christ have a peace that does surpass all understanding. It is not as the world gives. Its peace evaporates in both good and bad times. Our peace remains steadfast, as long as we cling to him and carry our crosses in victory. What the world calls wisdom must fall by the wayside. It must never be allowed to set our priorities or get in the way of serving the one, the only one.
The foundation is firmly in place and sinners, both Jews and Gentiles, are beckoned to come and believe. They are also inspired to turn their faith into action and make love a vital and healing energy for all to observe. Will there be other secrets and mysteries? Of course, the answer is an uncomplicated, "Yes." Our incompleteness will not go away, because as yet, we are not what we are intended to be. Full perfection eludes us. Nevertheless, to be convinced we are on the right road to eternal glory is enough. What more can humankind ask? Think of the millions over the centuries who wanted — sometimes in agony — what you and I have. What shall we do with so great a salvation? Our answer should be just as clear as God's explicit revelation.
Summary And Conclusion
The culmination of ages of yearning is now at hand. The great and often unfathomable streams of human experience and God's omnipotence seem to come to a unique intersection in time and space. The forces and energies of all that "was, is, and shall be" have brought to humankind the gift above all gifts. The Word came and dwelt among us. Considering the day and time, eyewitnesses were many. Let there be no doubt the Savior is on the scene. He comes in flesh and blood. Institutions of that day and time would not be able to defeat him. His body, the church, in its broadest and most diverse forms would continue, victorious even against the gates of hell.
So, the continual challenge is put forth to humankind. The secret has been revealed. Will you receive him as your Savior and Lord? To reject Mary's son is not to prevent him from knocking at the door of your heart. The invitation will go on unabated, at least, in this life. The magnitude of this divine enticement to come and live as a new being continues, at times, to enthrall even the most hard-hearted souls. Their rejection stands side by side with the Father's Son wooing them. And, at times, they blow their cover and are on the verge of accepting him, only to return to their former selves whimpering, "Not yet." What shall we do with him? The word is out and has been for 2,000 years. The Lord calls and death comes. We are intended to live for him and spend eternity with him.