For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

Ephesians 2:14-16 (NLT)

 

There was a significant divide between Jews and Gentiles during the Paul's time. It wasn't only race or ethnicity that divided them; there were so many other factors that only God could bring reconciliation and peace between them. The Cross tore down the wall that divided these two diverse groups, forming them into one new people in Christ.

What the Apostle Paul wrote was personal to him. Being a Jew and raised as a Pharisee, he found numerous reasons to justify his racial and religious exclusivity, as well as prejudice against Jewish Christians and Gentiles. Paul learnt to love and reach out to people he would never associate with, and to whom he found himself persecuted, stoned, and imprisoned by his own people.

Do you have any reservations about people from a different background? Perhaps you have a genuine reason; however, be careful not to dismiss people on the basis of their race, appearance, gender, and cultural background.

We cannot conquer our pride and prejudice unless we completely understand what it means to be fully reconciled with God. The gospel has the ability to heal and restore all brokenness, bringing wholeness. We may see individuals for who they are with our eyes, but through the lens of the gospel, we can glimpse what they will become through faith. In doing so, we can truly celebrate Christ is within us and among us.