Brought Near
By The Blood
Of Christ
So then, remember that at one time you
Gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by
those who are called “the circumcision” – physical circumcision made in the
flesh by human hands – remember 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. But now in Christ Jesus
you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For 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. He 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, and might reconcile both
groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that
hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off
and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one
Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians
2:11-18
In the time of Jesus, a strong barrier
stood between God’s people and the Gentiles who were outside their spiritual
community. It was the barrier of ethnic prejudice. God’s design was to bless
the families of the earth through Abraham. But instead of being a witness to
the nation,
Prejudice and racism remain with us
today, even in the church. Such attitudes do damage to our witness of Christ’s
love for all people. Jesus laid down His life to redeem people from every tribe
and nation. We must not only accept them, we must love them as our brothers and
sisters in Christ.
Christ’s love
creates unity out of
diversity.
Our Daily
Bread –