Ephesians 2:11-22

Ephesians 2:11-22

All men are equally lost, but not all men are equally aware of being lost. That awareness of being lost is the first step in our coming to God. Paul describes being lost in what we might call five degrees or expressions of our separation. First, Gentiles who are physically uncircumcised lack the physical sign or evidence of a relationship with God. Second, they were not part of the chosen people, the nation of Israel, the people called to bear witness to God. Third, they did not share in the covenants that promised any relationship with God. Fourth, they were without hope; there was no better future for them. Fifth, and finally, they were without God. The word used here is atheist.

“But,” here Paul places emphasis on the word “now.’ In verse 13, we have been brought close by the blood of Christ. And we have peace because of what Christ has done. Likely Paul had Isaiah 57:18-21 and his mind as he wrote these words. There is peace and healing in the Lord, but there is no peace for the wicked, those who are outside of Christ. It is worth noting that anyone who is outside of Christ is wicked, regardless of his or her conduct. Paul subtly explains the terms of the peace accomplished by Christ. First there is the peace between two groups (or more) of people. Anywhere we can find a dichotomy and hostility in the world, we can also find peace if we find it in Christ, Jew-Gentile, Greek-Barbarian, Roman citizen – non-citizen. But even greater, the barrier between this one common humanity and God is now removed. Access to God is now a possibility by Jesus‘ work on the cross.

Paul would have been well aware of the barriers that were part of the Jewish temple worship. There were the barriers beyond which a Gentile who came to the temple was not allowed to pass. There was the barrier of the veil in the temple that separated the holy place from the most holy place. Paul would’ve been aware that when Jesus died, the veil was torn into. In His body on the cross, Jesus removed and eliminated the hostility that separates people from each other and from God. What is more, these new united people are becoming a temple made to fit perfectly together. Since we are the temple, we must never forget the purpose of the temple: to be the presence of God on earth and to serve the God of heaven from here on earth.

“Lord, help me to live out my reality of being part of Your temple. AMEN"