Sunday, May 12
What illustration does Paul use to describe the new unity that exists between peoples in Christ? How has Christ made “one” out of “two”? Ephesians 2:11-22; see also Galatians 3:28.
The cross of Christ removes the barriers that separate people from each other. Walls separated worshipers in the Jewish temple, men from women, and Jews from Gentiles. Describing the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ, Paul used language that applies equally to other divisions between nations, people groups, social strata, and gender. “To create out of the two a single new humanity in himself, thereby making peace” (Ephesians 2:15, NEB) is good news that helps couples to truly know “one flesh” unity in marriage. Also, by faith in Christ, long-divided families can be reconciled.
It’s one thing to quote Bible texts about oneness in Christ; it’s wholly another to actually experience it. What practical changes does Christ bring to our lives that enable us to experience the oneness and unity we have been promised? See, for instance, Romans 6:4-7, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24-32.
“Picture a large circle, from the edge of which are many lines all running to the center. The nearer these lines approach the center, the nearer they are to one another. … The closer we come to Christ, the nearer we shall be to one another”. – Ellen G. White, The Adventist Home, p. 179.
“Between father and son, husband and wife, … stands Christ the Mediator, whether they are able to recognize him or not. We cannot establish direct contact outside ourselves except through him, through his word, and through our following of him”. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (New York: The MacMillan Publishing Co., 1979), p. 108.
How close is your family, or church family, to the center of that circle? What else must come down in order for the relationships to be as they ought to be?
