Ephesians: His Glorious RichesSample

The alienation of the Gentile believers was graphically symbolised by the wall of separation which existed in the temple in Jerusalem. Gentiles could enter the outer precincts of the temple, but when they approached the temple courts, where real worship took place, they were confronted with a barrier. It bore the inscription, ‘No foreigner is to go beyond the balustrade. Whoever is caught doing so will have himself to blame for his death which will follow.’ This is almost certainly what Paul is referring to in this section. 

Yet through the death of Jesus everything has changed. The tearing of the temple curtain from top to bottom (Matt. 27:50–54) represented the abolition of the old system of religious taboos. Gentiles can now enjoy friendship with God (vv. 13–15). God brought them near through the blood of Christ. He is our peace (vv. 14–15). 

To achieve this God did two things. Firstly, He abolished the barrier between Jews and Gentiles (v. 14). The ceremonial law – food laws, washings and circumcision – had acted as a barrier between them (v. 15). As a result of Jesus’ death, a Gentile does not now have to become a Jew to become a Christian. This explains why Paul was so vehement in warning the Galatian Christians about surrendering their gospel liberty by trying to return to the ceremonial law symbolised by circumcision (Gal. 1:6–9; 3:1–3). 

Secondly, He created a new humanity: ‘His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two’ (v. 15). This superseded everything that had gone before (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 3:28; 6:15). In the body of Christ – the church – all racial and ethnic divisions are abolished. 

Having been reconciled to God – because Jesus’ death destroyed the sin that separated all humans from God (Col. 1:20–22) – we now enjoy an intimate relationship with God. Jesus reconciled both Jews and Gentiles to God (v. 16). He preached this message of peace to us all (v. 17). 

We now have an intimate relationship with the triune God (v. 18). Prayer involves us in the eternal, loving relationship of the Trinity. We come to the Father, through the Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Are you tempted to return to human traditions and man-made rules? How do you avoid this pitfall?

Reflection

All Christians are called to preach the gospel of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:11 – 6:2).