“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” Ephesians 2.14-18
For Paul, it’s all about “peace.” In four verses he mentions peace four times. You think it’s important? Of course! Paul wants us to realize that Jesus himself is our peace. He came not only to promote peace among Jews and Gentiles, he wants to be our peace (https://www.bibleref.com/Ephesians/2/Ephesians-2-14.html).
Jesus is the center of our peace and is the only one who can truly promote peace in the world. If the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy, Jesus comes to bring peace and life everlasting. Jesus is the one who “reconciles both sides….to God through the cross.” The cross, therefore has become the central mantra for peace, unity, and to convey Christ’s message. To be Christian means we allow the cross to maintain a central place of peace in our own lives. (How ironic that God allowed a signature of death in the cross to gain perfect peace.)
Paul emphasizes that Jesus came with the specific purpose of “preaching peace” to those who were far away (Gentiles) and those who were near (Jews). And it’s because of him, v. 18, that both sides “have access to the Father by one Spirit.”
Is our world in need of peace? Absolutely! Does Christ offer peace to all people? Of course he does. He is the only source of true and lasting peace. And he has offered this peace to all people, some will accept and follow his way of peace, and others will chose sin, evil and the way of death and destruction. Is it any surprise that one of the greatest prophecies about the Messiah from Isaiah 9.6 refers to Jesus as the “Prince of Peace?”
So our challenge today is to accept and receive the Prince of Peace into our hearts and by doing so, share his peace with others. It is not enough to know about this peace, we must convey his love and peace to a world desperately in need of what Christ has to offer.
“O Lord God, you are the Prince of Peace! You convey your love for the world and for all who will listen. Thank you for this message to the Church in Ephesus many years ago which still applies to us this day. Come now, Holy Spirit, make us one with you and one with the Father. Help me know the power of your cross and the true of the Gospel. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen