3月6日；
以弗所书 2；
唱诗：诗篇 87: 1,2,3；

这奥秘就是外邦人在基督耶稣里，借着福音，得以同为后嗣，同为一体，同蒙应许。（弗3·6）

当我们看到昨天的灵修中的“以色列人的奥秘”时，实际上，我们也想到了“外邦人的奥秘”。 以色列人在罪中的刚硬，使得外邦人也包含在了基督里。在给以弗所教会的书信中，保罗也提到了同样的事。既然他对这个特殊的奥秘有更多的见解，再回顾一下这个问题就是明智之举。

犹太人相信，外邦人在神的救赎和应许中绝无一席之地。因此，作为一个规条，犹大人不会与外邦人往来，或和他们一起吃饭。可以说，存在一堵分隔犹太人和外邦人的墙。在以弗所书2章14节中，保罗如此描述这堵墙“中间隔断的墙……”。

但是福音的信息是，耶稣基督已经拆毁了这堵墙，现在，犹太人和外邦人都是“神家里的人了”（弗 2: 19）。这个家建立在使徒和先知的基础上，以耶稣基督自己为房角石。

我们对这个奥秘已经非常熟悉，因为我们已经听过或读过许多次了。但在保罗的时代，绝大多数的犹太人，对这层古老阻隔的瓦解颇为震惊。保罗在以弗所书3章5节中写道，这件事情“在以前的世代，没有叫人知道，像如今借着圣灵启示他的圣使徒和先知一样”。我们知道，即使是早期的基督教会，也必须挣扎着接受这奥秘的含义。但如今，我们知道，已没有任何种族或文化的阻隔，能阻挡人得救。因此，我们不能歧视，要和所有爱耶稣基督的人坐下来一起吃喝。

思考问题：“外邦人的奥秘”对于个人而言，有什么重要性？

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March 6
Ephesians 2
Song: Psalm 87:1,2,3

THE MYSTERY OF THE GENTILES

"This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 3:6)

When we looked at the "mystery of Israel" in our previous devotion, we also, in fact, considered the "mystery of the Gentiles". Israel's hardening in sin led to the Gentiles' inclusion in Christ. Paul writes about the same matter in his letter to the church at Ephesus. Since he provides more insight into this particular mystery, it would be wise to look at it again.

The Jews believed that the Gentiles had no part whatsoever in God's salvation and promises. As a rule, therefore, Jews would not visit Gentiles or eat a common meal with them. There was, as it were, a dividing wall between Jew and Gentile. In Ephesians 2:14, Paul characterizes this wall as a "barrier, the dividing wall of hostility..."

But the Gospel is that Jesus Christ has broken down the wall of hostility, and now Jew and Gentile are joined as "members of God's household" (Eph 2:19）.This household is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

We are quite used to this mystery for we have heard or read about it many times. But most of the Jews in Paul's days were appalled at the breakdown of the age-old barrier. Paul writes in Ephesians 3:5 that this matter"was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed." Even the early Christian church, we know, had to struggle to accept the implications of this mystery.

But now we know that there are no barriers of race or culture that can prevent someone from being saved.And so we may not discriminate, for we will sit down to eat with all who love Jesus Christ.

Question: What is the personal importance of the "mystery of the Gentiles?”