Thursday, December 11, 2025
For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh…Ephesians 2:14
Who Are You Not At Peace With This Christmas?
Paul was speaking to the Ephesians, explaining that part of Jesus’ purpose was to specifically tear down the dividing wall of hostility between the Jews and Gentiles. The Jewish people had looked down on the Gentiles for centuries because they were “God’s chosen People”, and therefore considered themselves better than Gentiles. This attitude of superiority drove a wedge of hostility deep between the two nationalities. Jesus’ message was they were all one united community of believers as the body of Christ. As Paul stated in the passage above, Jesus himself was their peace – making two groups one and tearing down the wall of hostility between them.
When Jesus died on the cross he reconciled all of us, as the body of Christ, to God – ending our hostility toward each other. In him we are all the same and have the same spiritual standing -
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
Paul told the Ephesians, “Jesus Himself is our peace.” By grace through faith in Jesus Christ, God made it possible us to be reconciled to God, and also for all of us to live at peace with one another. Jesus is the Prince of Peace - the ultimate provision of peace for all humanity. That applies to us personally – in our relationships with friends, acquaintances, and family. We can sometimes make peace with everyone else except family, making family gatherings tense, or non-existent.
, Jesus we have “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” to guard our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). He brought peace on earth, and as believers we are called to continue being peacemakers as well. We do this by living and loving like Jesus, and sharing the gospel of peace: “He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all.” Acts 10:36 We also share his gospel of peace by living in peace with one another. Because Jesus Himself is our peace, we can extend that peace in our relationship with others.
Who are you not at peace with?
What relationship can you bring the peace of Jesus into this Christmas?
