Thursday, February 19, 2026
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:13-18
Breaking Down Walls
When we look at the world today we can see much division and hostility - from families, in society, and even in churches sometimes. Paul is speaking to the Jewish and Gentile believers in Ephesus and they knew first hand about dividing walls. The Gentiles had been the "outsiders" because they were not God's chosen people, but Jesus changed that for all of us. Now Jewish and Gentile believers were worshipping together in the same church.
Just like the Gentiles in verses 11-12, we were outsiders when we were dead in our sin. We were without God in the world, without promise, without citizenship, and without hope. But now… Jesus changes everything. His shed blood brought Jews and Gentiles together, brought Gentiles near to God and into the family of God, and brought sinners out of death into a life in him.
Sunday Pastor Jim told us he brought us all into community in three actions:
“Made both groups one…” – The ground at the cross is common for all – Jew and Gentile alike. Salvation makes the playing field level – it is the same for all. There is no difference between any of us when we come to the cross. His mercy and forgiveness are the same for all.
“Tore down the dividing wall of hostility…” –There was a wall of division between Jews and Gentiles. There were also walls in the temple that still stood at the time Paul wrote this. There were parts of the temple that only the high priests and other priests could go in. These walls kept people separated from God. Jesus breaks down all walls of separation and brings peace where there once was chaos. He welcomes all his children with open arms, no longer strangers but family.
“Made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations…” - Jesus ended the strife caused between the Jews and Gentiles because the Gentiles did not keep the law. Jesus paid the debt for our sins fulfilling the law for us, we are reconciled by the cross.
The Jews and Gentiles were brought together in peace through the finished work of Jesus on the cross. All of us are brought together as one through the cross. There is no “us” and “them” and there are no outsiders, and we all have the same access to God.
Our heavenly Father has kicked down the dividing walls of hostility. He has brought us all together on level ground and made us one together in him, no longer strangers, but family. He is our peace, putting death hostility. We do not have to be on the outside any longer. With his death on the cross and resurrection we can be reconciled to him and to others.
What dividing walls of hostility in your life need to come down? In relationships or in your heart?
