FRIDAY May 3, 2024
He Is Our Peace
For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace....
Ephesians 2:14-15
Paul declared to all believers that Christ is our peace. His sacrifice broke down the middle wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles. There was a physical wall between Jews and Gentiles in the Temple. The wall separated the Gentiles in an outer court of the Jewish Temple. The Temple was the place where animal sacrifices were carried out, as well as worship. According to the Law of Moses, a person could be stoned to death if they approached the inner court––the Holy of Holies. Warnings in Greek were posted on the walls. If a Gentile entered, their death was of their own doing.
Through Christ, the Christian Jew became one with the Christian Gentile. There was no longer to be any wall of prejudice: There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28). Grace stood on the Jew and Gentile. God is a God of unity.
Within the inner Temple hung a thick curtain. Only the High Priest was permitted to pass behind this veil. Once a year, he entered into God’s presence for all of Israel to make atonement for their sins (Leviticus 16). The veil separated sinful men from entering the Holy of Holies before a holy God (Isaiah 59:1-2).
Remember, when Christ died on the Cross ... the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom... (Matthew 27:51). This signified that the way to enter into God’s holy presence was now open for all people––both Jews and Gentiles––through Christ alone. Do you have peace with God? The way is open. Do not hesitate to receive Christ as your own.
I am ready to meet God face to face tonight and look into those eyes of infinite holiness, for all my sins are covered by the atoning blood.
~R.A. Torrey~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
