Image from pennywisecook.com
Good Sunday morning to you all. This comes from reading Ephesians 2:11-22:
In life we sometimes encounter situations or people who exclude others, sometimes us, because of this or that, and we're just expected to receive those exclusions as the way things are. Sadly, these exclusions sometimes occur in the realm of religion where groups have been formed, and this one group does not like or allow other groups to interact or belong to the first group. One such division occurred in the early church, where some people came to faith in God through Jesus Christ, and those already in faith were Jews and believed these new Christians had to become Jews in order to have this new faith. They argued the Covenant between God and them was not theirs unless they too, submitted to the practice of circumcision. Paul argues this division has been erased through Christ on the cross, with the flesh of Christ taking care of, and erasing that demand on the flesh of new believers.
"Christ is our peace," Paul writes and has made the two divisions one. The barrier and dividing wall of hostility has been destroyed by Jesus, and a new humanity has been established. We, who were once far, are now near; and those who were near, now have peace. So, terms such as foreigner or alien have no place in this new humanity of faith, for we are all now citizens of the kingdom of God, and members of God's own household. The foundation of this home has been built on the foundation of the teachings and work of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus as the chief cornerstone, joining the whole building together as a temple in the Lord. And in Christ Jesus, we too, are being built up to become the dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit.
EAT-TO-YOUR-FILL PRAYER: Loving God, for the work and sacrifice of Christ Jesus, we are thankful. For all He did, we are blessed. We pray that whatever divisions or exclusions remain here on the earth established against us be destroyed. Please forgive us for the ones we have tried to set up, or for the kingdoms we have established apart and away from Yours. Instead, let us be truly the dwelling place for You and may we bring You honor and glory. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
