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
The writer reminds the Ephesians how violent persons had tried to throw God’s Son out of the world by nailing him to a cross, but that the blood of Jesus spilled on that cross actually broke down the walls of hostility and brought God’s peace to both Jews and Gentiles. By our baptism into Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have been made one with Jesus. Jesus is the one who gives all people access to the Father by the one Spirit. Apart from Christ, our sinful selves remain alienated from God and hopeless in the face of death. But marked with the cross of Christ and sealed with the Holy Spirit in the waters of Holy Baptism, we are God’s new people. We are made one with Christ, our crucified and risen Lord. We are no longer aliens, no longer strangers, all because God’s beloved Son, Jesus, has broken down the walls of hostility between God and us and between all of God’s beloved children.
Prayer
God of all, continue to break down the walls we often desire and build. Continue to claim us as your own and make us one people for the sake of the world. Amen.
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