Walls Torn Down, Unity Found / ODB

Walls Torn Down, Unity Found [Jesus] broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. Ephesians 2:14 nlt READ Ephesians 2:11–22 Since 1961, families and friends had been separated by the Berlin Wall. Erected that year by the East German government, the barrier kept its citizens from fleeing to West Germany. In fact, from 1949 to the day the structure was built, it’s estimated that more than 2.5 million East Germans had bolted to the West. US President Ronald Reagan stood at the wall in 1987 and famously said, “Tear down this wall.” His words reflected a groundswell of change that culminated with the wall being torn down in 1989—leading to Germany’s joyous reunification. Paul wrote of a “wall of hostility” torn down by Jesus (Ephesians 2:14). The wall had existed between Jews (God’s chosen people) and gentiles (all other people). And it was symbolized by the dividing wall (the soreg) in the ancient temple erected by Herod the Great in Jerusalem. It kept gentiles from entering beyond the outer courts of the temple, though they could see the inner courts. But Jesus brought “peace” and reconciliation between the Jews and gentiles and between God and all people. He did so by “[breaking] down the wall . . . that separated us” by “his death on the cross” (vv. 14, 16 nlt). The “Good News of peace” made it possible for all to be united by faith in Christ (vv. 17–18 nlt). Today, many things can divide us. As God provides what we need, let’s strive to live out the peace and unity found in Jesus (vv. 19–22). By Tom Felten What dividing walls do you see? How can you help remove them in Jesus’ strength? God of peace, please help me tear down walls that deny Your truth and love.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT Paul’s reference to the “uncircumcised” is rooted in the derision Jewish people misguidedly directed at gentiles (Ephesians 2:11). Circumcision was a sign that set Jewish males apart for God (Genesis 17:1-14). But Paul wrote that “a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code” (Romans 2:29). As he wrote Ephesians, Paul was in prison, wrongly charged with bringing a non-Jew into the temple area (Acts 21:27-29). God, however, was bringing Jew and gentile together in the body of Christ, the church (Ephesians 2:19-21). Tim Gustafson