Brought Near by the Blood

Remember. That is where I begin, and I begin there on purpose. Just now I told you that you were dead in your trespasses and made alive by grace (Ephesians 2:5); now I bid you look back and see what you were on the outside as well. You were "Gentiles in the flesh," "separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:11-12). Far off. Do not soften it. A man cannot feel the wonder of being brought home until he remembers he was once shut out.

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). See what closed the distance — not your climbing, but his blood. And see who he is: "he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility" (Ephesians 2:14). There stood a wall between Jew and Gentile, real as stone. Christ did not lower it; he tore it down, abolishing in his flesh the law of commandments as a barrier, "that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace" (Ephesians 2:15). On the cross he killed the hostility itself and reconciled us both to God in one body. Then he came and "preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near" (Ephesians 2:17) — and now, through him, we both have our access "in one Spirit to the Father" (Ephesians 2:18). Mark that whole sentence: the Son opens the way, the Spirit carries us in, the Father receives us. The whole God bends to bring you home.

So hear where this lands: "you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19). The stranger is now family. And more — you are building material. Founded on the apostles and prophets, "Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone," the whole structure "grows into a holy temple in the Lord," a place "for a dwelling place for God by the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:20-22). God is not merely near you now; he lives among you.

Then live as those brought near. Stop keeping a wall standing that Christ has already thrown down — between you and the brother of another people, another class, another old grievance. He killed that hostility; do not resurrect it. And know this comfort: you are not a lone stone. You are being built together into a house where God himself dwells. When you are weary or feel yourself far off again, remember the blood that brought you near, and take your place among the saints. Peace to you — for he himself is our peace.