The Apostle Paul was deeply conscious of the tremendous privilege and awesome responsibilitywhich had been given to him by God – “To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ” (Ephesians 3:8). Deeply aware that He received this ministry “according to the gift of grace”, Paul committed himself to this work would only be accomplished through “the working of God’s power” (Ephesians 3:7).
In the preaching of Isaiah, there is a clear indication that God’s work of salvation would not be limited to the Jews – “Turn to Me, and be all saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22). The promises of God were fulfilled when “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). In preaching this great message of salvation, Paul was deeply conscious of his own sin. When he writes his great words, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”, he does not stop there. He adds the words, “among sinners I am foremost of all” (1 Timothy 1:15).
Paul learned of the great love of God when he looked to the Cross of Jesus Christ – “God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). There is Good News for sinners. It’s for Jews. It’s for Gentiles. Paul says, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to every one who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16).
We look to the Cross of Christ, and we see “the revelation of the mystery” (Romans 16:25). The love of God for sinners – What a mysterious thing this is! He is the holy God. We are sinners, alienated from Him. Wonder of wonders, He has found a way of reconciling us to Himself – “Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me! ‘Tis mystery all! The Immortal dies … ‘Tis mercy all, immense and free” (Charles Wesley).
What was hinted at in the Old Testament has been wonderfully revealed in our Saviour, Jesus Christ – the Good News of salvation is for “all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
Paul speaks of “the mystery of the Gospel” (Ephesians 6:19). When we rejoice in the Good News of salvation, it is important that we don’t the sense of mystery. We must never take God’s love for granted. We must pray that the love of God will always be, for us, something very wonderful – “It is a thing most wonderful, almost too wonderful to be, that God’s own Son should come from heaven, and die to save a child like me. And yet I know that it is true” (William Walsham How). When we use the word “mystery”, we do not call in question the truth of the Gospel. We do, however, recognize that we will never be able to understand fully the wonderful love God has for us – “”And when I think that God His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in” (from “How great Thou art”). This love is for all. It’s for the Jew. It’s for the Gentile. The Old Testament “prophets” caught only a glimpse of what “the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow” (1 Peter 1:10-12). Since Christ has come, we proclaim, with conviction, “God so loved the world … ” (John 3:16); “All for your sake, all for my sake; yes, for all, I say; Now for the world comes news of salvation: ‘Christ is born today”” (from “King of kings and Lord of lords”,a hymn from India).
We have a great Gospel. It’s what the world needs. The world needs Jesus. We must “devote ourselves to prayer … that God may open up to us a door for the Word … ” (Colossians 4:3). We must pray that God will help us to communicate the Gospel more effectively – “that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak” (Colossians 4:4).

Ephesians 3:8