The Peacemaker

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

The ‘dividing wall of hostility’ was a real, historical barrier that existed in the temple courts in Jerusalem, dividing the Court of the Gentiles from the rest of the temple. An archaeological dig found the inscription on that wall, written in multiple languages, that reads: “No man of another race is to enter within the fence and enclosure around the Temple.  Whoever is caught will have only himself to thank for the death which follows.”

When we talk about structures of racial division, that’s a clear example. And yet, this is exactly why Jesus came - to bridge that gap, to bring racial healing, to be a peacemaker. That’s why Paul goes on to write:

He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.  For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. - Ephesians 2:17-18

Paul is using encoded language here to talk about racial tension - about racial insiders and racial outsiders and about a new world order in which there would be equality. And yet, as someone has said, “Those accustomed to privilege experience equality as oppression.” There was lots of pushback - and there still is - to this idea that Jesus could make peace between racial groups.

Read The Message translation of those verses and spend some time praying about the state of racial tension in your family, your neighborhood, your workplace, your country, and your world. Ask God to give you a bigger vision of this new kingdom - and through you to spread that to others.

Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders. He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father. - Ephesians 2:17-18 from The Message