“Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated 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 himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Ephesians 2:11-18)
Paul, in this letter to the church in Ephesus, like many of his letters to various churches wanted to encourage and exhort his fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Here he wanted to remind them of what brings us all together and that’s Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross. At one time the Gentiles (non Jews or the “uncircumcision”) were far away from God and the promises that God gives to His people. There was no hope. However because of Jesus Christ and what He has done, He made a way not just the Jews but the Gentiles as well.
Because of Jesus Christ, we can not only be reconciled to the Father but we can be reconciled with one another as well. Jesus brings peace to those who were “far off” and to those who were “near”. All have the opportunity to be reconciled and to be at peace.
This week, let us be reminded of this great news. We are not left without hope. We have hope in Jesus Christ. We are not left without peace. We have peace through Jesus Christ. And we get to share that message with the world to everyone.