Our Epistle this week is Ephesians 1:15-23.
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.
“Open the eyes of my heart, Lord; I want to see You.” Composer and singer Michael W. Smith used a phrase from this passage to express our desire to be in connection with God. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians speaks of the love and power the Father has waiting for us.
Paul tells them (and us) that Christ has not only been raised from the dead, but to a position of glory and authority, seated at the right hand of God (v. 20). Through his teachings we are able to see that God wants the same relationship with us, and that we are called to continue the work Jesus began. This is our task and our blessing.
If we see with our hearts, we are better able to know our mission and share the Good News with the world. God wants us to love Him and others with all that we have and all that we are. Christ’s sacrifice has opened the way for us.
Lord, we are blessed by Your love and saved by Your mercy. Help us to be Your people, telling the world of the joy we have in You. Amen.