Read: Eph. 2:14-18.
Vs. 15-16 – by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
Reflect:
I grew up in a home and a culture that was very homogeneous. As a matter of fact, my parent’s friends and acquaintances were predominately of Dutch descent. However, my dad had a few friends from work that were from other cultural backgrounds and ethnicity and brought some diversity to our home from time to time. Dad made it known in our household that there would be no prejudice in our family. He himself battled with acceptance of the German; nation having gone through World War II created some prejudice in my dad.
The ancient Israelites thought of themselves as normal people and everyone else as abnormal. In fact, they thought that they alone were selected to receive God’s favour. But through the prophet Isaiah God told them that the promised Saviour was coming for all people. “I will . . . make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6).
We know from New Testament writings that he is creating a new community and it will embrace, “every nation, tribe, people and language,” (Re. 7:9). Jesus came to put to death the hostility of prejudice and to create a new community of mutual love—no normal or abnormal people, no “us” and “them.” Just us in all our diversity. Hallelujah!
Pray:
Oh Lord make our love reflect yours and make us alive to the differences that you have created in creation. In Jesus, Amen.
