A Coming Together as One
Ephesians 2 : 11 – 13
Visualize
Read Ephesians chapter 2 several times to remind yourself of Paul’s overall message.
As you are meditating on this passage, how is God weaving your Wow moments into your heart?
Investigate
- Who is Paul writing to in these verses?
- What is his core message?
- Why is there such a distinction between these two groups of people?
- Does God provide a way to connect these two groups? How?
Embrace
In three short verses, God shows us how desperate our situation was prior to Christ. Paul lists 5 ways in which we (Gentiles) were completely isolated in our sin:
- Separated from God
- Alienated from God’s people (Israel)
- Strangers to the covenant of promise
- Without hope
- Without God
Have you ever truly considered how hopeless the Gentiles were at the time prior to Christ?
They were completely disconnected from God and because they were estranged from the Jews, they had no way to even understand about God and His promises through the covenant.
There was absolutely no way for the Gentiles to connect with God – at all.
Even though mankind rejected God through our sin, God still made a way for us to have hope and reconcile with Him – through His son, Jesus.
Ephesians 2: 11-13 shows just how much we needed Jesus’ sacrifice. Without Him we would be without any hope. And I can not image that level of despair.
Because we live post-resurrection, even when we were in our sin there was still the possibility of hope in Christ. Old Testament and early New Testament Gentiles did not have the option of trust in Christ. Which gives the power of Christ’s sacrifice a whole new meaning when we view it in light of Ephesians 2 : 11 – 13.
Take some time to meditate on the shed blood of Christ.
What does His spilled-out blood do for you and your relationship with God? What about with others?
Join the conversation in the comment section
First of all, I liked her illustration of the temple and how the Gentiles were “outside.” I can see how the Jews could let their special relationship with God go to their heads….Reading this chapter though, made me think of how much easier it is to act gracious toward others when we are at peace with ourselves (which I think comes from a place of peace with God. As the book said – upward peace can lead to sideways peace with others) For example, I think when we have an awesome job, and we are pleased with our salary and our relationship with our co-workers etc…and then a friend of ours gets a great job, we find it easy to be happy for them and celebrate. But if we are discontent in our job, it’s easier to be jealous of others that get promoted. A part of us wants them to be miserable like us! IN ESSENCE: When we are at peace with God, it’s easier to celebrate when others have a “win” in life because we know we have “won” in Christ too. We don’t need to be envious because if Christ wanted us to have the same thing, he would provide it for us. But if we aren’t deep in Christ, it’s harder to see others win. We feel frustrated and may have to work up a happy face for someone who is getting blessed. I hope this makes sense…..
Yes, it makes sense, Gina. I think we are indeed people that want a level playing field. We like it when those around us are on our same level and we don’t like to feel left out. But we should understand that God has something different for all us. None of us will have the same jobs, finances, spousal issues, etc. We should rejoice when He blesses others. That is the war within us, between the flesh and the spirit., to find peace within ourselves and situation because we have trust in HIM.