How does Ephesians 2:13 connect with Old Testament themes of sacrifice and atonement? Ephesians 2:13 at a Glance “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.” The Barrier of Distance: A Universal Problem • Sin always creates distance. • Isaiah 59:2 — “But your iniquities have separated you from your God.” • Old Testament worshipers could not stroll freely into God’s presence; they needed a priest, an altar, and a sacrifice. Blood: God’s Appointed Means of Drawing Near • Leviticus 17:11 — “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” • Every lamb, bull, or goat placed on Israel’s altars preached the same truth: innocent blood must cover guilty people. • The shedding of blood was never optional worship; it was God’s own requirement for fellowship with Him. Passover Foreshadowing: Delivered by Blood, Welcomed into Covenant • Exodus 12:13 — “The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you.” • Blood on the doorposts spared Israel from judgment and launched them toward the Promised Land. • Likewise, Christ’s blood shields believers from wrath and opens the way into an eternal inheritance. The Day of Atonement: Temporary Nearness • Leviticus 16:30 — “Because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD.” • One day each year, one high priest entered the Most Holy Place with the blood of animals—symbolic, limited, and repeatable. • The ceremony underscored both God’s holiness and His desire to bring sinners near, yet it pointed ahead to something greater. Christ Fulfills and Surpasses Every Sacrifice • Hebrews 9:12 — “He did not enter by the blood of goats and calves, but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus securing eternal redemption.” • Jesus is simultaneously the perfect High Priest and the spotless Lamb. • His single offering satisfies God’s justice for all time, so no further sacrifices are required. The Suffering Servant Foretold • Isaiah 53:5 — “But He was pierced for our transgressions… the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” • Centuries before Calvary, Scripture promised that atonement would come through a Person, not merely an animal. • Ephesians 2:13 celebrates that promise fulfilled. One New Humanity: Jew and Gentile Reconciled • Ephesians 2:14-16 explains that Christ “has made both one… by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees”. • Genesis 12:3 anticipated worldwide blessing through Abraham’s seed; the cross gathers every nation into one family. • The blood of Christ erases ethnic, cultural, and religious dividing walls, giving equal access to the Father for all who believe. Living “Near”: Practical Implications Today • Confidence: Approach God without fear, knowing the price has been fully paid. • Gratitude: Remember the cost—His blood—whenever you worship or partake of Communion. • Unity: Honor fellow believers, regardless of background, as those brought near by the same blood. • Holiness: Because you are near, live as one set apart for God, reflecting the purity purchased for you. |
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