If there is one word that could characterize our universe, it would have to be “mystery.” Advances in science have shed light on the fascinating mystery that is the cosmos. Long range telescopes have shown us amazing cosmological works of art, such as the Cartwheel Galaxy, that is about twice the size of our vast Milky Way Galaxy, and lies 500 million light years away; or the Horse Head nebula, a vast cloud of dust and gas that resembles a horse’s head, glowing red in the light of a nearby star; or the remnants of the Vela Supernova, that exploded about 10,000 years ago.
These are just a smattering of the millions of astrophysical formations we have been able to observe. They, in turn, represent just a smattering of the many millions of galaxies, stars, and formations that still lie beyond our vision. Indeed, the more we discover about our universe, the more mysterious it becomes as we realize its vastness and complexity are beyond comprehension.
Yet, in my mind, the mystery of the cosmos cannot compare to the mystery that lies behind Easter. The architect of the universe, the very one who painted the vast darkness of space in swirls of color and blinding light, the eternal creator—gave his very self in the person of his son, Jesus Christ, out of love for us! This, the Apostle Paul says, is how he has revealed the extent of his love for us: that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). This is what is puzzling about the gospel: that even though we had made ourselves God’s enemies, God reached out to us in love and friendship, to make a way for us to be reconciled to him. This is also what makes the gospel difficult to swallow, because it insists we are unworthy of the salvation God has provided through the death and resurrection of his son.
Human beings want to believe that they are worthy of God’s love and sacrifice, and that we have it in ourselves to achieve reconciliation with God on our own. But it is precisely because we could not do it that Christ came. That he came when he did not have to come, and gave what he did not have to give, is the greatest mystery. Jesus himself gave the answer: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
This is a jaw-dropping, mind-boggling mystery if there ever was one! I can only exclaim in mystified awe along with David, “How great you are, O sovereign Lord! There is no one like you…is this your usual way of dealing with man?” (2 Sam. 7:22, 19). The story of the gospel is a story that will be told for eternity by the redeemed people of God. It is the story of the unfathomable love of God.
Someday God may grant us a view of the cosmos from the outside. Like a vast tapestry, he may reveal the beauty of his masterful skill so that we can see it all in one grand display; and its many mysteries will be uncovered. But we will never get to the bottom of the mystery that is God’s love for us!
The chorus from the Christmas song, Mystery, performed by Selah says it well:
Mystery, how He came to be a man
But greater still
How His death was in His plan
God predestined that His Son would die
And He still created man
Oh, what love is this
That His death was in His hands
I am just a man and can’t begin to comprehend
When You look into these traitor’s eyes,
What do You see that justifies the Lamb?
God predestined that His Son would die
And He still created man
Oh, what love is this
That His death was in His hands
Mystery, mystery
Mystery lyrics © Mike Curb Music, BMG Rights Management US, LLC
Pastor Jon Enright