Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Reconciliation and unity through Jesus Christ
Ephesians 2:11-22
 

Charles Abraham
St. Johns MTC, NY

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” – Ephesians 2:14
Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, an inventor, an engineer, an entrepreneur, a businessman, and an author who was born in 1833, and died on December 10th in 1896. In his will, Mr. Nobel stated that a majority of his wealth should be divided into five parts and used for prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology, literature and peace to “those who, during the preceding year, shall have conferred the greatest benefit to mankind.” Aside from being famous for being the person who set up the Nobel prizes, Mr. Nobel is most well-known for inventing dynamite (and holding over 300 other patents).  It is still unclear as to why Mr. Nobel selected “peace” as a prize category – but to this day every December 10th (the anniversary of his death) a Nobel peace prize is awarded to an individual as selected by a committee. While the annual Nobel peace award may be fraught with politics, special interests, and other controversies, as Christians we are provided an example of another type of peace-maker. One who does confer the greatest benefit to mankind.
In Ephesians Chapter 2, Paul discusses how Jesus represents the reconciliation between the Jews and Gentiles. In this portion, Paul starts by reminding us of how the Gentiles were not citizens, how we were individuals without hope and without God in the world. Paul reminds us that it was Jesus who brought us (who were previously far away), near to Him and to His kingdom. We know that there is no peace without sacrifice, and Paul notes that it was the sacrifice of Christ; it was His blood that led to reconciliation. Christ’s blood has led to the destruction of the dividing wall of hostility, it has led to the peace that was purchased on the cross.
Today we are live in a society filled with divisive rhetoric, pain, poverty, and politics. I believe that Paul’s message continues to ring true today. Today we continue to be divided, and we need reconciliation through the blood of Christ. In verse 18, Paul exhorts the Ephesians by stating “for through him [Jesus] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” The end goal of reconciliation and unity is not only to have access to the Father; it is not just a mere prize, but rather to become a dwelling place for the Lord.
Brothers and sisters, can we say that today? Can we say as Paul did, that we are “being built together to become a dwelling place in which God lives by His spirit”? In these divisive times, we need to remember what unites us. We need to recognize the sacrifice by which we have been brought near, without walls of hostility. We need to continue to grow (and be built) into the holy temple of God.

PRAYER

Father, we pray that we might be united through the blood of Your Son, Jesus Christ. That we might recognize the sinful nature from which You have saved us, and that we can work together as Your children to become a holy dwelling place for You. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind wh...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tel...
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things...
Read more