Prayer: 

Father, We worship you for the great things you have done through the Lord Jesus Christ who reconciled us through His shed blood on the cross to you. We now have all we need to approach the throne of grace.

Key Word: - “reconcile”

Ephesians 2

The Jew and Gentile difference … 10-19

The building of Christ…..………. 20-22

Every time we look at Scripture we should see something new and exciting. While I understand this scholarly principle, it is truly fascinating to see the reality of it when we study the scripture. The text is so “pregnant” [full of life]! They cry out to be explored and treasured. The statements of truth are so well design that they defy all arguments against the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Let’s look and see their beauty.

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 We covered verse 10 in our last study, yet as a partial review, yet with a new thought from the Lord; verse 10 states that we are His workmanship, and to those of us who have accepted His death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, we are a new creation. It was on the cross that the necessary requirement for our salvation and everyone who believes was truly accomplished. We had nothing to offer anyone and still do not unless we offer them the work of Jesus Christ. In this verse just think of it we have the salvation of the cross the depravity of man, the purpose of man, predestination, foreknowledge of God, and sanctified living. What a verse!

11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel , and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

These two verses explain our position before the death of Christ on the cross.  It is consistent with Jewish thought that, since they were the chosen people, no other race or religion or ethnic origin were going to see or be with God…

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Isn’t this beautiful? We now have hope and a promise of new life! Our hope is founded upon Christ’s blood, shed on the cross.  The whole Old and New Testaments are expressed in these three verses. Glory!

14  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

God hath made both the Jew and the Gentile one flesh and taken the racial, ethnic, and cultural bias out of the Christian portfolio.  He is our wall-breaker.  There is no more barrier; at least scripturally.

15  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;

When Christ died on the cross all the differences melted into nothingness; all the needs of the Jewish Law were fulfilled along with the commandments of God, therefore making peace. >From God’s point of view the only dividing issue is belief on the Lord Jesus Christ.

16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;  

The differences between Jew and Gentile were actually slain upon the cross with the earthly body of Jesus, so that we now have access to the Father. He preached peace for everyone who would listen, both near and far. Jew and Gentile now have access to the Father. Verse 19 describes our present state of grace, we have fellowship one with another, because the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin, which being the great divider, has now been dissolved into nothingness.  

20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

21 In whom all the building fitly framed together grows unto an holy temple in the Lord:

22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. KJV

These last three verses are an entire bible study unto themselves. The word pictures are incredible, and worthy of deep scrutiny in order to gain as much out of their treasure as possible. Notice the emphasis upon Jesus being the chief cornerstone. This cornerstone is founded upon the prophets and the apostles, and metaphorically describes a house with many different parts fitly joined together being a habitation or dwelling place for the God of all flesh. How can God take separate people groups and make them into the habitation of God, getting them to agree to anything is a miracle in and of itself, let alone getting them to work cohesively to become the habitation of God. One thing is for sure if anyone can do it… it is God