Ephesians 2:11-22 (NRSV)
Read Ephesians 2:11-22 on biblegateway.com
Verse 11So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called "the uncircumcision" by those who are called "the circumcision" -a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands- Verse 12remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Verse 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
Verse 14For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. Verse 15He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, Verse 16and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. Verse 17So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; Verse 18for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. Verse 19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, Verse 20built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. Verse 21In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; Verse 22in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
Devotion
Circumcision is never a comfortable thing to think about or discuss, but we cannot read this passage from Ephesians 2 without running into that ugly biblical word that makes most of us squirm. In this case, the “c-word” is used as an example of something that divided people and led to hostility. There are many things that divide us today, from politics and wealth to sexuality and gender, not to mention race and religion. Jesus came not just as a new type of leader who got people from different groups to talk with each other. Jesus came to reconcile all people, regardless of their differences, “to God in one body through the cross.” The foundation of God’s kingdom is the proclamation of peace to all people (near and far), and it is built on the cornerstone of Jesus Christ, the One who has reconciled us together so that we are no longer strangers, but citizens of God’s household…forever.
Prayer
God of reconciliation, unite us through the cross that we may be one unified body, seeking to love and serve others and the world. Amen.