"Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called 'Uncircumcision' by the so-called 'Circumcision,' which is performed in the flesh by human hands-- remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by 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, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and He preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit." (NASB)
Some quick biblical history to help with our understanding of this passage:
- Throughout the Old Testament of the Bible (everything prior to Jesus) Israel was God's people with whom He had a special relationship.
- One of the signs of this special relationship was physical circumcision which became an area of tension between Jews and Gentiles. (Paul reminds them that circumcision is done by human hands, implying that physical circumcision isn't really the big deal the Jews like to think)
- Israel was part of special covenants God made with them and they lived by the Law of commandments laid out in the Old Testament.
- The Law required Israel to offer animal sacrifices to pay for their sins (breaking the Law) and because the Law was so strict, they would have to sacrifice over and over again each time they broke the Law.
Then Jesus came and changed everything:
"But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by 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, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity."
- Jesus is the only man to ever live a perfect, sin-free life.
- The Law demanded death as payment for sin (thus the animal sacrifices and the fact that we all eventually die).
- Jesus never broke the Law, so when He willingly sacrificed His perfect life for us on the cross, He broke the power the Law has over us and satisfied the Law's need for a sacrifice (thus, no more animal sacrifices).
- Jesus' perfection made His sacrifice good enough to pay not only for Israel's sins, but for anyone who accepts His sacrifice's sins. Thus, fulfilling prophecy ("And He came and He preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near" Ephesians 2:18 from Isaiah 57:19)
- Because Jesus' sacrificial death paid for Jew and Gentile sins alike, all who accept that sacrifice are part of "the body of Christ" whether Jew or Gentile.
Okay, so you may have already known all that, but I just wanted us to start on the same page since I mostly want to focus on the last 4 verses and there was just so much packed into those first 8 verses! Basically, Paul is recognizing the division between the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers and in this passage, is trying to encourage them to unite as the body of Christ.
I felt God speaking to me as I was reading verses 19-22 which I think really sum up the point of this passage.
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit."
Despite their differences Jewish believers and Gentile believers were all part of God's family. They are each part of God's kingdom, and a piece of a holy temple being held together by Christ. Because of Christ, they now have a collective purpose; the building of the kingdom of God. Every believer is equipped by the Holy Spirit, dwelling inside of them transforming them from the inside out to become more like Christ. But there is an even greater goal than the sanctification of the individual believer, that is, for all believers to work together in unity as the body of Christ.
The idea that the believers are supposed to live in unity, is not a new concept to me. All week I was wondering what God was trying to teach me through these verse because I kept thinking, "I already know that! Don't argue, focus on our similarities in Christ." And then these last four verses helped me understand God's message to me this week. It is not about me, it is not just about my personal spiritual growth or how I individually bring glory to God. It is about being part of the body of Christ and collectively bringing glory to God as part of the body of believers.
I need to go beyond "not arguing, and focusing on our similarities in Christ" with my fellow believers. I need to be encouraging them in their spiritual walks and I need to rejoice with them when God uses them for His purpose. Because they are part of my family, we are all part of the same body, and their success is success for the whole body.
As an American, this mentality is sometimes difficult to achieve. Our culture is driven by competition which often means that when someone else succeeds, we lose. But I am praying for the Spirit to override my cultural upbringing in this area so I can fully participate as a supportive member of the body of Christ bringing honor and glory to God.
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