NEW TESTAMENT READING PLAN: Luke 11-13
SCRIPTURE READING: Read Eph 2:11-22
In verses 11-12 Paul begins with a description of the alienation between Jews and
Gentiles -specifically Jewish Christians and Gentiles. Then in verses 19-22 the text ends
with a description of the reconciliation between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians.
In verses 13-18 he describes how this occurs. These verses are so rich and thick with
doctrine that it would take days to unpack it all therefore we will focus on the most essential
point - Jesus Christ, the Son of God died - and He died by design and yes, He rose and is
alive. But the emphasis here falls on His death. Where do we see it? We see it in the word
“blood” in verse 13b: “You who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood
of Christ.” We see it in the word “flesh” in verse 14, “. . . abolishing in His flesh the hostility.”
And we see it in the word “cross” in verse 16, “... and might reconcile them both in one
body to God through the cross.” The rest of the text is Paul’s explanation of how the blood
of Christ - His death in the flesh on the cross - removes the hostility between God and Jew,
God and Gentile and Jew and Gentile, and, therefore, by implication, between every ethnic
group of Christians who are in Christ. What God has done is create a new people, which
is what God is aiming at in our salvation, creating a new people so free from hostility and
so united in truth and peace that God Himself is there for our joy and for His glory forever.
That’s the aim of reconciliation: a place for God to live among us and make Himself known
and enjoyed forever and ever. God ordained the death of His Son to reconcile alien people
groups to each other in one body in Christ. This too was the design of the death of Christ.
Christ died to take hostility, anger, disgust, jealousy, self-pity, fear, envy, hatred, malice and
indifference away from our hearts toward all other persons who are in Christ by faith.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Spend some time thanking God for the reconciliation that we have through Christ Jesus,
not just between God and ourselves but between every ethnic group of Christians.
2. Spend some time in prayer, asking the Lord to reveal to you whether you hold any
bitterness in your heart against any Christian denominations. Spend some time confessing,
as necessary.
