[review previous article] [advance to next article]
     Observing some of the world’s religions, often a common or similar aspect is mystery and the mysterious.  A few years ago, two fellows went into the depths of the jungles to live a short spell with the primitive tribes.  One tribe’s fear of demons halted them from venturing into the jungle at night.  They were certain the demons would kill them.

     A friend related his experience while taking the gospel to Africa.  A woman brought her ill infant to him, who had a deep burn on his forehead.  The witch doctor had put a red hot coal on his forehead to drive out the demon which caused the fever.  He went on to say the tribal folks imagined an unseen demon behind every bush.  That they are unseen is this sense of mystery and the source of a myriad of superstitions, remedies and beliefs; none of which have any credible foundation.  This irrational quirk of mankind also infects believers in Jesus.

     While in a foreign land, I went to a worship service of the Russian Orthodox Church, during which, the folks made the sign of the cross and bowed constantly for nearly two hours.  Why?  Because they believe they receive a special blessing individually by doing that.  When there was an unusual increase in deaths in the local hospital, the ROC priest came and sprinkled holy water throughout the hospital, room by room, every room.  How does sprinkling water change the death rate?  Who invented that practice?  Under this ritual is mystery.  Mystery, like the “magic” of an illusionist attracts crowds.  Interestingly, mystery(ies) is used in the New Testament 26 times.

     When Jesus spoke the first parable to His disciples, He said, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that ‘Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand...’” (Mark 4:11,12).  So what was this mystery about the kingdom of God?
     The ancient Israelites knew they had been chosen by God as the result of the promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3).  By the time of Jesus, ancient Israel had not had a king for nearly 600 years.  They longed for a king.  Even the disciples who had spent three years with Jesus, just moments before He ascended into heaven asked Him regarding His second coming, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6).  What is this mystery of God’s kingdom?  Has it been revealed or is it still mystery?

[review previous article] [advance to next article]