Throughout the season of Advent, we’ll have a weekday reflection based on suggested scriptures from a great resource entitled The Common Rule. You can find a calendar of the daily readings here.

In our reading today, we are reminded that Jesus preached peace to those who are near and those who are far. And through the cross, he has ended the division, that is the hostility between us. He doesn’t end the disagreements and or the differences, but through the work of Jesus, has ended the hostility. He has come to bring us peace. And He has come that we may be a means of peace, a gift of peace in a world of hostile division.

Join us for our daily reflections with Andy. In 10 short minutes, he’ll dig a little deeper into Scripture and help you better understand God’s Word.

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You can read today’s passage, Ephesians 2: 13-2, here.

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Or, if you’d like to read the transcript of the video, keep reading!

Good morning! It’s a pleasure to be with you on this Friday morning as we delve into our daily Advent readings and reflections. Today, we’ll be exploring Ephesians 2:13-22, a passage that holds profound insights for our understanding of unity, peace, and the body of Christ.

Let’s explore Ephesians 2:13-22 together:

“But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ, for he is our peace. In his flesh, he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him, both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him, the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.”

This passage is a treasure trove of profound truths about the unity found in Christ. The imagery of building upon a foundation, with Christ as the cornerstone, paints a beautiful picture of the Church. Paul emphasizes that believers, both Jews and Gentiles, are brought together into one body through the cross, thereby eliminating the hostility that once divided them.

In verse 14, Paul speaks of Christ as our peace, the one who breaks down the dividing wall and abolishes hostilities. The significance of this cannot be overstated. In a world marked by divisions and conflicts, the message of unity through Christ’s sacrifice is revolutionary.

Paul goes on to describe believers as no longer strangers or aliens but citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. This image reinforces the idea that, as Christians, our primary identity is in Christ, transcending worldly distinctions. The unity among believers is not based on shared opinions or preferences but on a shared Lordship in Jesus Christ.

The metaphor of the Church as a holy temple, with believers as living stones, highlights the spiritual significance of this unity. The dwelling place for God is not a physical building but the collective body of believers, joined together by the cornerstone, which is Christ.

In a world where division and hostility are prevalent, the call to be peacemakers echoes loudly. As Wesley aptly noted, “If your heart has been warmed as my heart has, then give me your hand.” The warmth of our hearts, ignited by the love of Christ, should lead us to extend hands of peace and unity.

As we navigate a world filled with hostility and divisions, may we, as blessed peacemakers, reflect the unity found in Christ. Let us recognize our common Lordship in Jesus, which transcends our differences and brings true peace. May we be living testimonies of the transformative power of the cross, breaking down dividing walls and building a dwelling place for God.

Thank you for joining us in this reflection. I wish you a wonderful Friday and a blessed weekend. If you’re in the Madison, Mississippi area, we would be delighted to worship with you at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church on Sunday for Confirmation Sunday. Have a great day!