God’s Renewing Word of Unity in Christ Jesus
Introduction
Ephesians 2:11-22: In today’s reading, Paul specifically addresses the Gentiles, assuring them that Christ has broken down the walls that separated Jews and Gentiles and has united people of faith.
Scripture Reading
One in Christ
11You Gentiles by birth—called “the uncircumcised” by the Jews, who call themselves the circumcised (which refers to what men do to their bodies)—remember what you were in the past. 12At that time you were apart from Christ. You were foreigners and did not belong to God’s chosen people. You had no part in the covenants, which were based on God’s promises to his people, and you lived in this world without hope and without God. 13But now, in union with Christ Jesus you, who used to be far away, have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For Christ himself has brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people. With his own body he broke down the wall that separated them and kept them enemies. 15 He abolished the Jewish Law with its commandments and rules, in order to create out of the two races one new people in union with himself, in this way making peace. 16 By his death on the cross Christ destroyed their enmity; by means of the cross he united both races into one body and brought them back to God. 17 So Christ came and preached the Good News of peace to all—to you Gentiles, who were far away from God, and to the Jews, who were near to him. 18It is through Christ that all of us, Jews and Gentiles, are able to come in the one Spirit into the presence of the Father.
19So then, you Gentiles are not foreigners or strangers any longer; you are now citizens together with God’s people and members of the family of God. 20You, too, are built upon the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, the cornerstone being Christ Jesus himself. 21He is the one who holds the whole building together and makes it grow into a sacred temple dedicated to the Lord. 22In union with him you too are being built together with all the others into a place where God lives through his Spirit.
Today’s Key Verse: Ephesians 2:18
It is through Christ that all of us, Jews and Gentiles, are able to come in the one Spirit into the presence of the Father.
Reflect
Throughout today’s reading, what welcoming words does Paul use to indicate that Gentiles are now members of God’s family? Reread verses 13-18. What has Christ done to unite people as one in him? What is Christ’s “Good News of peace to all” (verse 17)?
Pray
God of unity and love, I thank you for calling me to be a member of your family. With a grateful heart for living in union with Christ Jesus, I thank and praise you for Christ’s “Good News of peace to all.”
Tomorrow’s Reading
Ephesians 3:1-13: The apostle Paul describes his mission to the Gentiles.