Theological Sketchbook Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who sometimes were far off are made near by the blood of Christ. I. WE WERE SOMETIME FAR OFF. Distance = ignorance of God, and under His displeasure. What the peculiar nature of our erroneous path, our remote situation, was, is comparatively of little consequence. Some of us were lost in the cares of the world. Some were deluded by the deceitfulness of riches. The lust of other things held some captive. While others were intoxicated by pleasure, or enchanted by worldly science, or drawn away by the meaner things which attract the attention of sordid souls. It is enough, more than enough, that we were far from God. Let us now turn our attention to our present situations. II. NOW ARE WE MADE NIGH. These words convey to the mind ideas of Relationship, Friendship, Union, and Communion. Thus we are made nigh; and our text leads us, in the next place, to consider how this blessed, this important, change has been effected. III. IN CHRIST JESUS — BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST. 1. In Christ Jesus. He is our Mediator — God with God; man with men (see 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 12:24). It is here the distant parties meet. Here the Gentile meets the Jew (ver. 14). Here the returning sinner meets a gracious, a merciful, a forgiving God (Ephesians 1:6, 7, and ver. 18). Here persons that were distant, that were hostile, meet, cordially unite, and perfectly agree (see Galatians 3:28, 29; Colossians 3:11; John 10:16). Here even Saul of Tarsus meets the followers of Jesus of Nazareth on amicable terms. Here all real Christians of every sect and name meet; and here all men may know that they are disciples of Christ, because they love one another (John 13:35). Here, too, they all ascribe their salvation to Jesus, and glory in being "made nigh." 2. By the blood of Christ. Under the old dispensation this blood was yearly typified by that of the paschal lamb (Exodus 12:4, 5; 1 Corinthians 5:7); daily by that of the sacrificial lamb (Exodus 29:38, 39; John 1:29); and frequently by that of other sacrifices (Hebrews 9 and 10). Covenants were ratified by blood (Exodus 24:8; Hebrews 9:18-20); "and without shedding of blood is no remission (Hebrews 9:22). We enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus" (Hebrews 10:19). Almost every important circumstance connected with our salvation has reference to the blood of Christ. We are redeemed by His blood (chap. Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 1:19; Revelation 5:9). Justified by His blood (Romans 5:9); washed, cleansed by His blood (1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5, and Revelation 7:14); we conquer through His blood (Revelation 12:11); we are made nigh by His blood. (Theological Sketchbook.) Parallel Verses KJV: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.WEB: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ. |
    |