How does Ephesians 2:14 describe Jesus' role in breaking down "the barrier"? “For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility.” What the Barrier Was • A literal wall in the Jerusalem temple that barred Gentiles from the inner courts • A spiritual wall of “hostility” caused by sin (Isaiah 59:2; Colossians 2:14) • The ceremonial law that kept Israel distinct from the nations (Ephesians 2:15) How Jesus Tore It Down • “He Himself is our peace” — peace is not merely something He gives; it is who He is (Isaiah 9:6; Colossians 1:20) • “Made the two one” — unites Jew and Gentile into one new humanity (v. 15; Galatians 3:28) • “Torn down the dividing wall of hostility” — destroyed every man-made and sin-made barrier at the cross (Colossians 1:22; Hebrews 10:19-20) • He abolished the law’s ordinances in His flesh, satisfying its demands (Ephesians 2:15; Romans 10:4) What This Accomplishes • Vertical peace: reconciliation with the Father (Romans 5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19) • Horizontal peace: reconciliation with one another in one body (Ephesians 2:16; Colossians 3:11) • Access for all to the same Spirit and Father (Ephesians 2:18) • A new citizenship and household of God built on Christ the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22) Living Out the Demolished Wall • Guard the unity Christ purchased (Ephesians 4:3) • Refuse divisions based on ethnicity, status, or background (Romans 10:12; James 2:1-4) • Celebrate the shared inheritance of the saints (Colossians 1:12) • Proclaim the peace made through the cross to a world still erecting walls (2 Corinthians 5:20) |
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