Reconciled by the Cross Ephesians 2:16

Paul the apostle shared with the Ephesians how Jesus made “peace” between the Jews and the Gentiles as he “abolished in his flesh the enmity” of the “law of commandments” which were “contained in ordinances”. In chapter two and verse sixteen of his letter, Paul shared how the Jews and Gentiles were “reconciled” “by the cross” where we read:

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,

having slain the enmity thereby:

The verse begins, “And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross,...” Paul began with the phrase, “And that he might reconcile” which means “bring back to a former state of harmony” “both unto God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “in one body” or “a large number of men closely united into one society, or family as it were. It is a social, ethical and mystical body” “by the cross” which refers to “the crucifixion which Christ underwent”. God brought together the Jews and the Gentiles through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

The verse continues, “...having slain the enmity thereby:” Paul added, “having slain” which literally means “to kill in any way whatever, to destroy and allow to perish” and metaphorically means “the extinguish, abolish and deprive of spiritual life and procure eternal misery in hell” “the enmity” or “reason for opposition and hatred” “thereby” which means “in, by and with”. By dying on the cross, all opposition previously maintained by Jews and Gentiles was “destroyed”.

When we meditate upon Paul's words, we begin to understand how God was able to bring the Jews and the Gentiles together as “one body”. The “cross” “destroyed” all the opposition that was between them, and both of them were able to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. “Enmity” was gone, and access to God was made available to “everyone” no matter what their station at birth.

Next time Paul shares how Jesus provided “access by the Spirit” to God, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.