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When I think of Paul's epistle to the Ephesians, the concept of our identity in Christ immediately springs to mind. I also conjure up images of armor and spiritual warfare.
Never once have I considered the image of a wall coming down (isn't that found in Joshua's encounter with Jericho?) or the concept of racial unity and reconciliation...until now.
But now I see it, as Pastor Walt reads from Ephesians on the big Power Point screen. I see it there, spelled out so clearly in the second chapter, as Paul talks ALL about racial unity and reconciliation within the context of Jews and Gentiles. Paul points out that because of Christ, we are united as one and the barrier that exists between these two groups of people has come down.
Check it out with me, starting in Ephesians 2:11...
Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time 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. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 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. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Ephesians 2:11-22 (emphasis mine)
Do you see it, dear friend? Do you see the bringing together of two separate people groups, two races of Jews and non-Jews, and the destruction of the barrier that exists between them, and the creation of one family, one citizenry, one temple?
You see, I have long known that Paul was imprisoned time and time again, not simply because of the gospel message, but because he preached the mystery of the gospel. What, exactly, is this mystery? Paul goes on to tell us in Ephesians chapter 3 verse 6:
"This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel."
This grafting in of Gentiles into God's family, THIS is what infuriated the Jews and hindered their reception to the gospel. THIS is what caused rioting in the streets and locked up Paul in chains.
This mystery of the gospel--God's plan of building ONE people for Himself across the entire globe--was a HUGE barrier that tripped up a LOT of people, historically and biblically speaking, both before and after the time of Christ. Jonah ran away from God's call to preach in Ninevah--in the heart of the Assyrian empire--and boarded a boat headed in the opposite direction, because he knew God would be merciful and save those heinous non-Jews, if they repented (turns out, he was right!). Even Peter was tripped up by the acceptance of the Gentiles, preferring not to eat with them because they were uncircumcised and did not adhere to Jewish dietary laws (see Paul rebuke Peter for this in Galatians 2:11-14). It would be the Council of Jerusalem, led by James, that would set the precedent stating definitively that Gentile believers in Christ did NOT have to obey Jewish dietary restrictions or be circumcised to be considered Christians (see Acts 16).
And while I have know this mystery of the gospel that put Paul in chains, I have never once thought about it in present-day racial terms. I have never once thought about Christ's desire to make one church out of all the nations TODAY. Sure, we see all the nations worshiping together in Revelations, but here, today, in my church?
Why is it that I get more excited about missions--the establishment of churches in other nations--than I do when a minority family sits next to me on my pew, in my church? Why is it that I give time and money toward missionary projects in other nations, and yet feel inconvenienced when we sing a song in Spanish during the worship time in my church (something we are setting out to do more often, according to my church leadership)?
You see, like so many of God's people, past and present, I don't think I have quite grasped the mystery of the gospel.
What about you, dear friend? Have you considered the daily implications of this in-grafting of all believers into ONE church, THE church, here on Earth as well as in Heaven? Do you yearn for it? Do you pray for it? Do you do the hard work to make it a reality within the walls of YOUR church home?
Let us confess, and repent, and work toward living in the light of the mystery of the gospel. There is no time to waste.
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