7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ,10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
There is so much treasure here. I love Paul's repetition: in Him, through Him. And don't you forget it. All this is only possible in and through Jesus. He is the one who has gained us immeasurable blessing and unlimited access to the Father. And it was fitting that he should do so. It was in perfect keeping with the character of the Godhead. It fit perfectly with God's beautifully lavish nature that He should choose the way of the cross. That He should choose such an extravagant and foolish was to display His love. God was fully aware of what He was doing when He planned our redemption. He knew the cost of our reconciliation and it pleased Him to make it happen. In Christ, what was unknowable and unattainable is now revealed and approachable. The glorious mystery is that He should want to be knowable to us. He should want us as friends and not servants. Angels shudder at that truth. For surely it is madness that the best way for God to show us what He's like and the only way for us to get back to Him is by a dead man on a cross...
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