Who are the Scythians?

I had a wonderful time visiting a young Iranian couple last night. As I was driving home I felt an "indescribable" joy (2 Corinthians 9:15). Oh how true it is that God's gift has been extended to all people. For in Christ "there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all." (Colossians 3:11). But wait a minute, who are the Scythians that Paul should single out here? I checked, this word appeared only once in the entire Bible. According to wikipedia, "the Scythians (/ˈsɪθi.ən/ or /ˈsɪði.ən/; from Greek Σκύθης, Σκύθοι) were Iranic equestrian tribes who inhabited large areas in the central Eurasian steppes between the 7th century BC and 4th century AD.". What a coincidence! I believe the Iranians have a very special place in God's kingdom.

As I was reading the entire chapter of Colossians 3 this morning, the context of Colossians 3:11 is the result of our deeper understanding of the "Supremacy of Christ" (Colossians 1:15-23) and God's "mystery" revealed to the church, which is: "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27). The "blessed hope" which we have inherited in Christ has been extended to the Gentiles, in particular, the Scythians!

The take home message from Colossians 3:1-17 which I have copied here from the NIV translation:

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

We have been raised with Christ and we will appear with him in glory (verses 1-4). That's our blessed hope! Therefore while we are still on earth, we should set our hearts and minds on things above (I had written this before in my blog to Joan and Francis on their wedding day). God has called together a people composed of all nationalities and ethnic origins with various cultural practices, and people of different social status, to live on this earth to show the world that it is possible to live lives that are the better version of ourselves - just as God has intended. The characteristics of this "heaven on earth" lifestyle include staying away from actions arising from our earthly nature (verses 5-9; don't worry, we have the Holy Spirit to help us), and "clothing" ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (verse 12; yes, the fruit of the Spirit!); and peace among God's people (verse 13) and above all, love and unity (verse 14).

I think I had a glimpse of the peace of Christ last night. I was thankful that I have been included in the company of Jews and Gentiles, slave and free, and yes Scythians!