Brought Near

Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)—remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Ephesians 2:11-13)

 

Wilderness Wanderings will be wrapping up soon as I (Pastor Anthony) take a call to Orillia.  So: in these final installments, we will be reflecting on the letter to the Ephesians—particularly those verses that lead us into Paul’s prayer from the end of chapter 3.

In some ways, the verses from today’s text are a repeat of the verses that began the chapter where Paul wrote “you were dead in your transgressions and sins.”  Paul begins with the past tense in both places to heighten the contrast: because in Christ, things look a lot different!

The point Paul was making at the beginning of the chapter was about death and life, sin and salvation.  But now he begins to work his way into the implications—what does it mean to practice this resurrection life we’ve been given?  Firstly, it means working out the grace that God has worked into us.  That’s what the verses before this describe.  But it also comes with a change in status and relationship.

Here Paul comes with a litany of things that the Ephesians were and weren’t before Jesus entered the picture:  “Gentiles.”  “Uncircumcised.”  “Separate from Christ.”  “Excluded from citizenship.”  “Foreigners to the covenants of the promise.”  “Without hope.”  “Without God in the world.”  Of course, what one realizes is that this list only makes sense from the point of view of an insider to all these things, that is, a Jewish person. 

Pious Jews were accustomed to praying a daily prayer of thanks to God for not being created as a gentile.  The Temple courts, likewise, were divided into inner and outer courts.  One for gentiles on the outside, and one for Jews on the inside.  Gentiles could not pass through the dividing wall on the penalty of death.  Warnings were posted in Greek and Latin to make sure they knew.  Hostilities ran hot between insiders and outsiders.  As they did at some level between many different ethnic groups.

But here’s the thing—Jesus tears down all these ethnic hostilities and barriers.  He strips these believing gentiles of all their former disqualifications.  Not only that, he has the audacity to bring these gentiles who were once far away—not just into the inner court, but into the very presence of God!  He tears the veil to the Holy of Holies and by his own blood, invites them right in! 

This is not merely an interesting point of ancient history or Biblical research.  It is emblematic of something much deeper.  In his cross, Jesus shatters all ethnic and national boundaries inside his church.  Not just then, but also today.  And not firstly by giving courses on EDI or anti-racism to tell us of our biases or how to treat one another.  No, it begins more subversively than that.  Jesus begins simply by bringing those who were once far away, near.  Near enough that we all have to encounter one another and contend with the fact that we’re all now siblings of the same saved family on the same basis: faith in Jesus.

Together in the presence of Jesus, stuck now with hated enemies, immigrants, and foreign outcasts who have become our sisters and brothers: this is where transformation into the life of resurrection begins.  Will you submit to the encounter? 

 

As you journey on, go with the blessing of God:  

 

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you : wherever he may send you.

May he guide you through the wilderness : protect you through the storm.

May he bring you home rejoicing : at the wonders he has shown you.

May he bring you home rejoicing : once again into our doors.