Ephesians 2:11-22

“And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (v17-18). Paul reassured both Jews and Gentiles that, through Christ, they were reconciled to God and to each other. The “dividing wall of hostility” was destroyed by the cross (v14), which exposed and forgave the sinfulness of those both inside and outside the covenant. Through Christ we are no longer “strangers and aliens” but instead “fellow citizens with the saints” (v19).

The hostility between humans and between us and our Creator can only be overcome through the sacrificial love of Jesus. “He himself is our peace” (v14).