Made Nigh By the Blood

(#886, Imperial, 1960)

Read Ephesians 2:11-18.

Looked at from a certain viewpoint this epistle was probably one of the most radical of it's time.  Two groups existed in the world: one very large (the Gentile world) and one very small (the Jewish world), with a large barrier between.  Jews for centuries had been the people of privilege (Rom. 3:1-2).  Here we see the barrier being broken down.  Remember the theme of Ephesians: "Gather together in one all things in Christ" (1:10).

ƒ      Remember, vs. 11-12.

Remembering what we have been tends to deepen our humility, make us more grateful for mercies, and give us a deeper love for Christ.

w    Without Christ, v12.  "In Christ" sums up all blessings; "without Christ" sums up all disaster and evil.  To have all the world offers and be without Christ is to have nothing.

w    Without a country.  We were outside the sphere of God's chosen people.

w    We were without hope.  This is a miserable state.

w    We were without God.  This doesn't mean we were atheists but that we had no knowledge of the true God, no faith in Him, no relationship with Him, no consciousness of His presence.

ƒ      But now, vs. 13-18.  A change has taken place.

w    The method of this change: it is by the blood of Christ.  As in the Old Testament, when the priest could not approach the Holy of Holies without blood, so "without shedding of blood there is no remission for sin."

w    Through His blood Christ has become our peace (vs. 14-15), the peace between Jew and Gentile.  He did this by fulfilling and abolishing the ceremonial law.

w    Furthermore He has created one new man (vs. 15-16).  Both Jew and Gentile are reconciled to God, a new creation.

w    And because there is peace we now have access to God.  This is not merely liberty of approach, but an introduction into His presence and favor.

All may have this change from darkness to light, and hopelessness to hope, by having Christ.