The God’s love in Christ is that for everyone.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body,
and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
Ephesians 3:6 English Standard Version

I was thirteen when Scooby-Doo first aired on television in 1969. Yes, that’s right, Scooby-Doo is now 46 years-old. He doesn’t look a day over five, nor do his teenage friends look any older, especially Shaggy.

Cripple Creek, Colorado

Some of you remember “The Mystery Machine,” a glorified hippymobile in which they rode as they solved what were apparently paranormal mysteries. These mysteries always found some “normal” explanation.

Though the Apostle Paul didn’t have a glorified VW bus taking him around the world, he did explain the mystery of God.

His explanation of the mystery of God was huge for both Jews and Gentiles. These cultures were significantly dissimilar. They didn’t necessarily like each other, yet Paul states that God’s love in Jesus was meant for all.

That Jews and Gentiles were both “partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus” would have a radical impact on people’s lives. The walls that separated the different cultures were broken down by Christ.

And though we still try to rebuild these walls of separation, the truth remains. Those who are baptized into Christ, who know his saving love and gift of forgiveness, are partakers of the promises of Christ.

We share in the promise of forgiveness.

We share in the promise of abundant life.

We share in the promise of eternal life.

No matter our cultural background, God’s Spirit invites us to step on his bus and enjoy the ride on his Mystery Machine called the Church. All are welcome.