Ephesians 2
14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Reflection:
“That sister is so different from me, I don’t think we could ever really get along.’”
“Deep inside, I don’t really trust that brother.”
Even as believers we can get into a mode where we don’t believe in good relationships anymore. Perhaps we don’t say these kinds of phrases out loud, but in our hearts we have not completely put away the relational barriers that were once so much a part of our lives as non-believers. The barriers can be as superficial as personality/cultural preferences, or as deep and real as unforgiveness toward another brother or sister. In Ephesians 2, Paul is addressing two very different groups of people who were at odds with one another. Through Christ, however, the Gentile and Jewish believer are now reconciled, the “barrier” and “dividing wall of hostility” is destroyed. But what is the basis of this reconciliation between the two groups? Paul reminds the Ephesian church that through Christ we are reconciled to God and through the cross we are now reconciled to one another as his people.
Response:
Today the peace that we have received from God is also made real in our relationships with another. As recipients of God’s peace and forgiveness, we can truly live out good relationships. The barriers in our hearts have been destroyed in Christ. In response we can ask and receive forgiveness from others, we can relate genuinely, and with an open heart we can care for others in the church. Let’s pray for this in our own lives and for our communities.
