Verse: Ephesians 2:14-18
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
Devotion
This section of scripture needs a little context to understand it. Paul is writing to the Ephesians, a new church he helped create. The Ephesians were Gentiles which meant that they were not Jews. The Jews generally disliked the Gentiles considering them to be unclean and barbaric because they were not born Jews. These were the others, those unlike the Jews. Paul is saying that Jesus came to break down the walls of division between all groups and to make us one body by his work on the cross. He died for all. All. Everyone. He put to death the hatred and bitterness between all people.
He died for good people and bad people, rich and poor, all races, all political positions, all belief systems, people of all religions, all people. People we like and people we don’t like. Jesus died to bring us all together into one body to bring forgiveness, relationship with Him, peace, access to the Holy Spirit and new life.
So who are the others in your life? I have trouble thinking that God loves those that do extremely terrible things. Terrorists or people that hurt children. People that spread hate. Did Jesus really die for them? Aren’t they totally condemned for life?
The trap we fall into is seeing other people’s sin and not our own. Or seeing our sin as much less than others. However, God doesn’t see it that way. Sin is sin. We are no better than the worst people we know. We all need redemption that comes only from Jesus.
Jesus died for all people because He loves all people. Everyone. Since He is our example, He must be asking us to love all people also. So consider who are “the others” for you. Who has hurt you? Who do you feel separate from because of their beliefs? Who do you have trouble forgiving? The Holy Spirit may be nudging you today through this scripture to pray for one of these people. He may be asking you to call them to start a reconciliation process. Let’s join together with God in what He wants to do in the earth to “put to death the enmity” between us and bring the peace that is Jesus Himself into all situations.
Prayer
Jesus, we admit that we are sinners and need your forgiveness. We want to be like you and love like you do. Show us how we can bring you into our daily lives and spread your love and peace to all the people we touch today.
Author: Brad Dunn
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