Christ Has Broken Down the Dividing Wall

This meditation is based on a passage for January 13, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Ephesians 2:11-22

Reflection and Question: Paul was working day and night to bring together two groups as one in Christ: the Jews and the Gentiles. Paul mourns what he calls here “the hostility between them.” For Paul, Jesus’ death was meant to “reconcile both groups to God in one body.” Scripture has little value for us if we are unable to connect what was happening then to what is happening now. Paul’s word to the Jews and Gentiles holds true for believers in Jesus who disagree today too; Christ is our peace and our unity. Who are in the household of God?

Prayer: Jesus, our beloved Savior, You are the cornerstone of the whole structure which is God’s house. May no one at home in You be a stranger or an alien to us. You alone are our peace. Include us in the new humanity You are creating, we pray. Amen.