Ephesians 2:14-18 — Conversations with God

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.

Father, Paul could have said that Jesus created peace between Jews and Gentiles, but instead he said Jesus is our peace.  It was not a peace conference that Jesus called and mediated peace between us.  It was the sacrifice of his own life on the cross that satisfied the Law’s just demands for our rebellion.  His death purchased redemption for both Jews and Gentiles.  By allowing Your Son to be put to death You put to death the enmity between us.  We caused the rift, You closed it.

Even though Jesus has made both peoples into one new man and has preached the peace He secured, even though we can now come to You through the access Jesus made possible and the energy of the Holy Spirit within us, I still don’t always feel the peace between our two peoples.  It is still easy for us to misunderstand one another.  But I am thankful to now be included in their promises, me, a Gentile, who formerly had no claim on a covenant relationship with You.

Thank You for making a way for me and other Gentiles to be part of Your people.