It’s a very long title, I know, but sometimes you just have to spoil the ending in the trailer.

Paul (the Apostle) has a hugely understated remark early in his first inspired letter to Corinth…

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

(1 Corinthians 2:7-8)

The context features Paul explaining what kind of wisdom he employs in his preaching. It’s not the wisdom of philosophers he’s learned from but is a wisdom given to Him by God “in a mystery.” He also calls it a “hidden wisdom,” and while there is a specific Divine plan he is alluding to here, Paul is also making a play on the popular trope used by the philosophers of the day, who would deliberately speak in riddle and rhyme, in order to confuse their listeners. For such teachers, the motivation was not to lead their students to learning (because then they’d be out of a job); it was to tease them and subconsciously draw them back for more and more lectures. This kind of philosopher wants his students following him like a god, in awe of his “secret knowledge” and “hidden wisdom.”

To that Paul says “I speak a mystery too; I have hidden wisdom!” Only the secret wisdom Paul is describing isn’t being kept out of the people’s reach. In fact, it’s been plainly revealed to all men. The word “mystery” here means “a hidden thing, to be revealed at the appropriate time.” Unlike the teachers of the day, Paul’s mystery has substance to it. With the riddles of the philosophers there’s no “there” there; they promised a reveal but delivered only more teases. Paul’s message, however, has been revealed.

The mystery to which Paul refers is the plan of God to save man through Jesus Christ. It was a mystery because it existed in the mind of God from before the foundation of the world. Nevertheless, it’s been revealed (at Calvary) and its message contains the true wisdom one needs to live right in the sight of God.

So that’s the context, but what’s the point?

Paul goes on to say the leaders of the Jews and Romans (“princes” he called them in v6) did not comprehend the mystery of salvation revealed through Jesus. The Lord Himself walked among them and many of them bore witness to His miracles, yet they were not able to put two-and-two together to see that He was the Christ. Had they, Paul says, they would not have crucified Him. That may seem like an obvious point but, to me, it’s a humongous remark by Paul.

Certainly there were those in Judea who recognized Jesus’ authority and still chose to deny Him (John 12:42), but Paul speaks here of the leaders from Rome and Israel who were so consumed with jealousy (the Jews) and politically-motivated cowardice (the Romans) that they chose, out of expedience, not to see that Jesus as anything more than just a controversial teacher that needed to be silenced.

In other words, the mystery of who Jesus is was plainly revealed, but some people simply could not see it. Why? Basically, because they didn’t want to see it. They didn’t want to believe the Messiah could be in their midst…so they didn’t. If they had simply acknowledged the facts in front of their face they wouldn’t have gone through with murdering the Son of God. That also means, deep down, those men knew who He was, and knew of what they were guilty.

While recording the Sgt. Pepper’s album, Paul McCartney let a stranger claiming to be Jesus Christ come into Abbey Road studios to listen. McCartney remarked, “Well, it probably isn’t. But if he is, I’m not going to be the one to turn him away.”

Long story short: With that one remark, Paul McCartney showed more of a willingness to believe than the literal priests and rabbis that presided over Israel.

Had the Beatles been playing in 33AD, Jesus would not have been unjustly murdered.

~ Matthew