It Starts Small

 ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, ¹⁵ he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace. ¹⁶ He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death. ¹⁷ He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Ephesians 2:13-18

But

Do you remember “but” from the first chapter. We are going to read something extraordinary. Remember our reading from yesterday because we come to a …”but”

Christ stands at the heart of this remarkable turnaround, infusing hope where despair once reigned. The phrase “But now in Christ” resonates with profound significance, echoing the transformative power of faith. Our circumstances have been irrevocably altered. We have been liberated from the soul-crushing, hopeless plight described in verses 11-12. We are stepping into a new dawn filled with promise and possibility.

Read verse 14.

¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh,

Ephesians 2:14

This was not a new idea for God. It was hinted at way back in the Old Testament. Saving the Gentiles was always part of God’s eternal plan. It is the same as His choice of the Jews. It is also the same as His choice of you. He chose to bring salvation to all of the world through the Jews. God chose the Israelites so that they could be a light to the world. As they failed in this mission as a nation, Jesus came to ultimately fulfill this divine national purpose.

He forged an extraordinary peace between the two sides. He tore down the deep-seated barriers that had divided them. These barriers included the painful reality of circumcision. They also encompassed the burdensome law and the monumental curtain in the temple that kept Gentiles and Jews apart. In an incredible act of unity, He transformed two groups that once loathed each other into a singular family. Now, to inherit the rich blessings that belong to the Jews, Gentiles no longer need to convert to Judaism. There is no longer a requirement for circumcision. There is also no need to adhere to the Old Testament law. Through Christ, a profound peace has been ushered in, bridging divides and bringing hope.

Then why then is there not peace in the world between these groups even today?

All of the above rings profoundly true within the church, a stark contrast to the divisions of the world. In the sacred embrace of the church, we stand united as one in Jesus, transcending every barrier! This divine truth encompasses Jew and Gentile, slave and free, woman and man, old and young, poor and rich. The only way these distinct groups can discover true peace is through the transformative power of Christ!

What is this peace?

It transcends mere passive acceptance; it embodies a fierce commitment, an unwavering embrace of connection! It is not begrudging tolerance nor a facade masking a storm of bitterness within. It is not a mere lit fuse poised for detonation; it’s a profound and lasting union. It symbolizes a glorious merging of two into one. This is similar to the sacred bond of marriage or the harmonious grafting of a tree. It’s the birth of a brand-new entity, pulsing with life—one heart, one soul, one mind! This is the essence of unity, a testament to an unbreakable bond where past differences dissolve into insignificance.

In the church, our identities transcend nationality, age, or social status. We are fervently united as citizens of heaven above all else. Our commitment to Christ eclipses everything—far more than being Japanese, American, or Korean. The essence of being a Christian holds greater significance than marital status. It is more important than professional achievement. This is true whether one is a successful businessman or a street worker. In a world rife with divisions and resentment, Christians stand as a beacon of hope. They embody radical transformation. This is all because of the love and grace of Christ that binds us together.

Peace calls us to embrace the profound love of Christ. When anger or impatience surfaces against a fellow believer, use that moment as a reminder. Remember the immense sacrifice Christ made for you. Hold onto the truth that you are united in Him, bound by a love that transcends all strife.

Peace means we must fellowship with one another. Since believers are one, it only makes sense that we will spend more time hanging out. We will fellowship and strengthen each other more than we will with those in the world. We tend to hang out more with those who are more like us. If you spend most of your time with worldly people, you might seem more aligned with them. It may also appear that you identify more with them than with believers.

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Cross References:

• Galatians 3:28
• Colossians 1:20-22
• John 10:16
• Galatians 6:15
• Hebrews 10:19-25
• Genesis 12:3
• Galatians 3:8
• John 10:16
• 2 Corinthians 5:18-21
• Hebrews 10:19-25

Reflective Questions:

• What changed starting in verse 13?
• Who brought about the change?
• Was this a new idea of God’s to save the Gentiles?
• How do you know this was always part of God’s plan and not a new idea?
• What does it mean to be far off? Far off from what?
• Why is Christ our peace?
• How are both groups one?
• What does this tell us about the relationship we should have with others in the church? How about others of different races?
• Different social levels?
• Different backgrounds?
• What does the barrier of the dividing wall refer to?
• What is the Law of commandments?
• How did Christ put to death the enmity?
• How are Christian Jews and Gentiles alike?
• Poor and rich?

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