Peace and reconciliation
‘Peace’ is a word that sums up all the blessings Jesus brings to our lives. Christ came and preached the possibility of ‘peace’ to everyone (v.17). Jesus is seated, after his resurrection, at the right hand of God, as prophesied in the psalm for today (Psalm 110:1). Being seated implies rest and peace. You died with Christ, were buried with him and have been raised with him and are now seated with him in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 2:6). You can enjoy his peace and rest as you go about your daily life.
Paul describes life without Christ in these terms:
• ‘you were dead in your transgressions and sins’ (v.1)
• ‘you followed the ways of the world’ (v.2)
• ‘gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts’ (v.3a)
• ‘objects of wrath’ (v.3b) ‘separate from Christ’ (v.12a)
• 'outsiders to God’s ways’ (v.11, MSG)
• ‘foreigners to the covenants of the promise’ (v.12b)
• ‘without hope’ (v.12c)
• ‘without God in the world’ (v.12c)
• ‘far away’ (v.13)
• separated by the ‘dividing wall of hostility’ (v.14b)
• ‘strangers or outsiders’ (v.19, MSG).
Paul describes the difference that Jesus makes in these contrasting terms:
☆ ‘raised up with Christ’ (v.6)
☆ ‘seated with him in the heavenly realms’ (v.6)
☆ ‘God’s handiwork’ (v.10)
☆ ‘created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do’ (v.10)
☆ ‘brought near through the blood of Christ’ (v.13)
☆ ‘reconciled to God through the cross’ (v.16)
☆ ‘access to the Father by one Spirit’ (v.18)
☆ ‘fellow-citizens with God’s people’ (v.19)
☆ ‘members of God’s household’ (v.19)
☆ 'a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit’ (v.22).
The contrast between the prior alienation – from ourselves and from God – and the peace and reconciliation that Jesus brings, could not be greater.
It is Jesus who makes the difference. We are made alive with Christ (v.5). We are raised up with Christ (v.6). We are saved through faith in Christ (v.8). It is in Christ Jesus that we are brought near (v.13). It is through Jesus that we have access to the Father by one Spirit (v.18). Jesus Christ himself is the chief cornerstone of the new temple, the church.
The only command that Paul gives us in this passage is simply to ‘remember’ this amazing transformation that Jesus brings to our lives (vv.12–13). So often we can forget that being a Christian is all about what Jesus has done for us, and get caught up in what we are doing. This passage helps us to stop, remember, and give thanks to our amazing saviour for all he has done for us.
Lord, thank you for your great love for me. Thank you that you are rich in mercy and have made me alive with Christ. Thank you for the utter transformation you bring to my
life.
This wonderful reminder of peace with God was taken from Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, Bible in One Year 2016; day 266.
