Ephesians 1:15-23
“Why do I have to go and hear the same story again EVERY YEAR?” I remember my brother saying something like this one Easter Sunday morning, trying to get out of another boring church service.
Why do we talk about this same story so often? Because it isn’t like other stories. It’s like looking at one of those magic eye pictures that was popular years ago. As you gaze at it, dramatic images stand out. But these images don’t just enlighten your eyes. They enlighten the eyes of your heart, the deepest part of you, the wellspring of your life.
In this passage, three images stand out:
1. Hope
that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you…
In all of my seminary counseling classes, the teachers stressed the importance of instilling hope in the people. No matter the situation, there is always hope in Jesus.
Not lottery hope, but lunch hope. When you buy a lottery ticket, you’re wishing against the odds that you might win. When you’re hungry at work, you persevere because you know lunch time is coming. Christian hope isn’t wishing against the odds; it’s persevering because we know Jesus is alive and working for our good.
The closer you get to Jesus, the closer you get to hope.
2. Inheritance
…what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints…
When my family went to the beach, I would set up the backseat of our mini van like we were going to the moon. I had my pillow, Walkman, snacks, etc. You would have thought the three-hour van ride was the extent of the vacation. But of course there was something much more glorious on the other end of the trip.
Many live their lives like this is all there is, stocking it with as much stuff as they can. But since Jesus is alive, we have the promise of eternal life. So there is a much more glorious and weighty inheritance to come.
The closer you get to Jesus, the closer you get to a glorious inheritance of true, lasting riches.
3. Power
…and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe…
Christian, because of the resurrection, you have nothing to fear. Our King defeated death itself. So no person or thing is a threat to you.
Conclusion
The further you get from Jesus, the more hopeless, poor, and weak you become. The closer you get to Jesus, the closer you are to hope, true riches, and transcendent power.
So get close to Jesus. Stay close to Jesus.
