For Christ himself has brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people. With his own body he broke down the wall that separated them and kept them enemies. He abolished the Jewish Law with its commandments and rules, in order to create out of the two races one new people in union with himself, in this way making peace. By his death on the cross Christ destroyed their enmity; by means of the cross he united both races into one body and brought them back to God. So Christ came and preached the Good News of peace to all – to you Gentiles, who were far away from God, and to the Jews, who were near to him. It is through Christ that all of us, Jews and Gentiles, are able to come in the one Spirit into the presence of the Father.

So then, you Gentiles are not foreigners or strangers any longer; you are now fellow citizens with God’s people and members of the family of God. You, too, are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus himself. He is the one who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to the Lord. In union with him you too are being built together with all the others into a place where God lives through his Spirit

Ephesians 2:14-22

All Christians are grateful when a non-believer’s attention is drawn to Jesus Christ and the cross. The awareness may be fleeting, but who can predict what even a split-second reaction may mean to an immoral soul? Suddenly a sinful person may begin to wonder why Jesus died on the cross. This may prompt the person to seek answers from the Bible or from Christians he or she may know. For yourself, take some time today to reflect on the meaning of the cross, and let it flood your heart with praise to the Savior.

To know the meaning of the cross,

you must know the one who died there.

Our Daily Bread – April 25, 2003