Ephesians 2:14–18
14For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, 15by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, 16and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. 17And He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near; 18for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
Focused Thinking:
How do you find peace when there are people who have “no hope and are without God in the world”?
How do you find peace in a hopelessly broken world?
How do you find peace in a non-peaceful world?
14For He Himself is our peace.
- He is peace because “He made us alive together with Christ.”
- He is peace because “He raised us up with Him.”
- He is peace because “He seated us with Him in the heavenly places with Christ.”
- He is peace because “He saves us by grace through faith.”
- He is peace because “He brings us near by the blood of Christ.”
He is peace personally.
- Internal peace.
He is peace relationally.
- Peace between the Jews and Gentiles.
He is peace because “He made two groups into one.”
He is peace because “He broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.”
He is peace because “He abolished in His flesh the enmity.
Resource Recommendation:
Warren Wiersbe’s Expository Outline on the New Testament
To destroy the middle wall was to annihilate the enmity.
- Christ, by his death, has destroyed the wall, substituting for it the “law of love,” which is the real spirit of the law and comes from realizing the sacrifice that was made out of love.
How did He establish peace between Gentiles and Jews?
15…so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
16…so that He “might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
WOW!
The cross was designed to put to death the enmity between Jew and Gentile.
The cross was designed to unite, not divide.
How effective is the devil as a liar?
He has taken the symbol of unity and made it the symbol of division.
What did the Jewish Messiah do?
17And He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near;
He preached peace to the Gentiles (far away).
He preached peace to the Jews (near).
How do Gentiles and Jews have access to the Father?
18for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
The Messiah gives us access to the Father.
The Passover Lamb gives us access to the Father.
“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” gives us access to
the Father.
How much does God long for the “older brother”?
The “Prodigal God” longs for the “older brother” the same way He longed for the “younger brother.”
Personal Application:
Unbelievable!
- God, why have You given me such an incredible friendship with Jeff Rosenblum?
- What do You want to do through our relationship?
- What do You want to do through Jeff’s life?
- What do You want to do for the Jewish people?
- I am praying for an Emmaus Walk experience for Jeff
- The Emmaus Walk — Luke 24:13–35
Luke 24:21
“But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened.”
Luke 24:25–27
25 “And He said to them, ‘O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26“Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?’ 27Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.”
Luke 24:30–32
30 “When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32They said to one another, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?’ “
Luke 24:35
They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
Historical Background:
Who were the Gentiles?
The Gentiles were without Christ; that is, they had no promise of a Messiah. They were not a part of the nation of Israel.
Instead of being “the people of God,” the Gentiles were strangers, having “no hope and without God in the world.” The Gentiles were described as “far off” from God in Ephesians 2:13.
What did God do?
When Christ died on the cross, He broke down every barrier that stood between Jews and Gentiles. In the Jewish temple, there was a wall that separated the “Court of the Gentiles” from the rest of the structure, and on this wall was a sign giving warning that any Gentile who passed beyond it would be killed. Jesus Christ tore down that wall (Eph 2:14).
- He tore down the physical wall for in Christ all are made one (Eph 2:15).
- He tore down the spiritual wall and brought the “far off” Gentiles near (Eph 13).
- He tore down the legal wall for He fulfilled the Law in Himself and ended the reign of the Mosaic law that separated Jews and Gentiles (Eph 14–15).
Christ not only made peace between sinners and God (Ro 5:1), but He also made peace between Jews and Gentiles.
He took sinful Jews and sinful Gentiles and through His cross made a “new man”—the church.
Interactive Prayer:
Father, please open Jeff’s heart and give him an Emmaus Road experience and encounter right now. Give him the ability to see You in the Scriptures. Give him the ability to see You with 100% clarity and confidence. Show him who his Jewish Messiah is. Show him Your glory for Your glory. Use him in ways that are exceedingly abundantly beyond all that I can ask or think according to Your mighty power. Show him the truths of this passage.
Father, give him an all-consuming passion to know Your Scriptures. Father, he is an unbelievable lover of people. Use Jeff to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near and to give both Gentiles and Jews access to the Father. Give Jeff the ability to love his Jewish family and friends more than ever. Glorify Yourself through Jeff’s life and Jeff’s family.
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