We sang a song during the worship time this past Sunday entitled, “Come, Behold the Wondrous Mystery” written by Matt Papa, Matt Boswell, and Michael Bleecker.  It has a simple melody with a hymn-like structure of four verses.

I chose it because the first verse went well with the upcoming Christmas holiday.  But as I focused on the entire song, I realized it was so much more than just a collection of random verses. 

What I began to see is that the four verses, all beginning with the title phrase, were sharing four aspects of Jesus’ time here on earth.

So, in preparation for the Christmas celebration, I’d like to look at each verse individually, and share just which mystery the songwriters were referring to.  I think you’ll see that the totality of these four mysteries is truly the heart of our Christian faith – and what begins during this holy season.

I’ll list the words of each verse, and then give you my short commentary.

Verse One – The Mystery of Jesus’ Birth

1.    Come behold the wondrous mystery, in the dawning of the king.

He, the theme of Heaven’s praises, robed in frail humanity.

In our longing, in our darkness, now the light of life has come.

Look to Christ who condescended, took on flesh to ransom us.

Jesus left the perfect splendor of Heaven, a perfection we can’t begin to imagine, to become the frailest of human beings – a tiny, helpless baby.  He left his Kingdom above to enter this broken world with one goal in mind.  To eventually take the penalty for each of our sins.  That plan didn’t develop as he became an adult.  It was the plan since before time began.  Mystery, indeed.

Verse Two – The Mystery of Jesus’ Life

2.    Come behold the wondrous mystery, he, the perfect son of man.

In his living, in his suffering, never trace nor stain of sin.

See the true and better Adam, come to save the hell-bound man.

Christ the great and sure fulfillment, of the law in him, we stand.

I can somewhat get my head around a God being perfect, but a perfect man?  Not a single sinful thought or deed? Our only frame of reference is to look at our own sinful lives.  So, it’s incomprehensible to us that this perfect God also became perfect man “to save the hell-bound man.” And when we understand all that he was tempted with while on this earth, including indescribable suffering, it’s mind blowing.  His perfect love and his perfect sacrifice were necessary for the next step.

Verse Three – the Mystery of Jesus’ Death

3.    Come behold the wondrous mystery, Christ, the Lord upon the tree.

In the stead of ruined sinners, hangs the lamb in victory.

See the price of our redemption; see the father’s plan unfold.

Bringing many sons to glory, grace unmeasured, love untold.

This mystery often brings tears to my eyes.  I can’t comprehend a love so deep and so everlasting that the creator of the universe, this Jesus, would die and face separation from his Father, in order to take the penalty for my sins, and the sins of this world.  His love and his death purchased for us the glory of heaven, and eternal fellowship with him.  No other “religion” even comes close to this kind of compassion and sacrifice.

Verse Four – The Mystery of Jesus’ Resurrection

4. Come behold the wondrous mystery, slain by death, the God of life.

But no grave could e’er restrain him, praise the Lord, He is alive.

What a foretaste of deliverance, how unwavering our hope.

Christ in power resurrected, as we will be when he comes.

We celebrate Jesus’ resurrection every Easter (in between the Easter bunny and the Easter egg hunts), but can we fully embrace the miracle, and yes mystery, of the Son of God raised from the dead?  And, honestly, I think that’s the smaller of the miracles!  What this resurrection achieved for this broken world is to bridge the gap that sin created, between this Holy God and sinful man.  The victory is secure and complete.  Praise God!

I’d like to add one more mystery not mentioned in this song.  When one reads through these words, and comprehends the perfect redemption plan that they depict, how can we not fall to our knees in repentance and gratitude over all that Jesus accomplished for us, and for God’s glory?  That’s our part in this.  Jesus did the hard work.  We must humbly and gratefully accept this greatest of gifts.

Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord

and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Romans 10:9-10.