Welcome to this week’s episode, a special rerun from our Speaking of Life archive. We hope you find its timeless message as meaningful today as it was when it was first shared.
Watch video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHWtScVil24
Program Transcript
Speaking Of Life 3034 | Walls of Hostility
Heber Ticas
You have heard the adage, “Good fences make good neighbors.”
But hindsight says, “Bad neighbors, make good fences.”
Ever since Adam and Eve turned hostile against God, fences and walls have outlined the history of conflict between neighbors. Stories about Jericho and Jerusalem or Babylon and Berlin are not complete without the rise and fall of their walls.
Attempts at peace are often pursued but usually through this cycle of erecting and tearing down walls. Wars and walls go hand in hand. Some believe better walls will bring peace while others believe peace can only be achieved by their removal.
But the problem is not with the walls. It’s with the people on both sides of the walls. The walls of hostility are not built from earthen stone but from stony hearts. This is the true wall of hostility that needs to be torn down. And the Good News of Jesus Christ is that he has done just that. We no longer have to argue over which side of the wall to stand on. Jesus has created a new ground of peace in himself where all can stand as one. He breaks down the walls of separation that are so prevalent in our world. Everyone is invited to live in him.
The Apostle Paul was accused of crossing a cultural wall of hostility in his day and it landed him behind the walls of a prison. Yet, barricaded behind those walls he was free and at peace to write this about Jesus:
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 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, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.”
Ephesians 2:14-16
Thanks to our Triune God of Grace, there are no walls of hostility between us and God. The Father has made us his children in Jesus and therefore, brothers and sisters to one another. If you have grown weary of building and tearing down walls of hostility, Jesus calls you to himself to belong to a new family that lives without walls and in peace.
Mi nombre es Heber Ticas, Hablando de Vida.
Program Transcript
Speaking Of Life 3034 | Walls of Hostility
Heber Ticas
You have heard the adage, “Good fences make good neighbors.”
But hindsight says, “Bad neighbors, make good fences.”
Ever since Adam and Eve turned hostile against God, fences and walls have outlined the history of conflict between neighbors. Stories about Jericho and Jerusalem or Babylon and Berlin are not complete without the rise and fall of their walls.
Attempts at peace are often pursued but usually through this cycle of erecting and tearing down walls. Wars and walls go hand in hand. Some believe better walls will bring peace while others believe peace can only be achieved by their removal.
But the problem is not with the walls. It’s with the people on both sides of the walls. The walls of hostility are not built from earthen stone but from stony hearts. This is the true wall of hostility that needs to be torn down. And the Good News of Jesus Christ is that he has done just that. We no longer have to argue over which side of the wall to stand on. Jesus has created a new ground of peace in himself where all can stand as one. He breaks down the walls of separation that are so prevalent in our world. Everyone is invited to live in him.
The Apostle Paul was accused of crossing a cultural wall of hostility in his day and it landed him behind the walls of a prison. Yet, barricaded behind those walls he was free and at peace to write this about Jesus:
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 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, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.”
Ephesians 2:14-16
Thanks to our Triune God of Grace, there are no walls of hostility between us and God. The Father has made us his children in Jesus and therefore, brothers and sisters to one another. If you have grown weary of building and tearing down walls of hostility, Jesus calls you to himself to belong to a new family that lives without walls and in peace.
Mi nombre es Heber Ticas, Hablando de Vida.
Psalm 89:20-37 · 2 Samuel 7:1-14a · Ephesians 2:11-22 · Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
As we continue through Ordinary Time in our liturgical calendar, our theme for this ninth Sunday after Pentecost is chosen by God. Our scripture readings talk about the connection we have with the divine, emphasizing that this connection isn’t created by our efforts but God’s. Psalm 89 affirms God’s covenant with David, and more importantly, God’s never-ending love for him. Despite that great love and covenant relationship, God tells David in 2 Samuel 7 that his children would build the temple, rather than David himself. Mark 6 speaks of Jesus’ great compassion on the multitudes who followed him, “like sheep without a shepherd.” The sermon text comes from Ephesians 2:11-22, and it identifies our connection with God as much more than membership in a family or even a church.
God’s Family Tree
Ephesians 2:11-22 (NRSVUE)
Has anybody here ever had their DNA tested through a direct-to-consumer company, like AncestryDNA or 23andMe? [wait for responses] Did you find out anything surprising? [wait for responses]
Where we come from matters to us, and we’re shaped by the stories we tell ourselves about our ancestors. Think about how we as Christian believers have been influenced by the story in Genesis about Adam and Eve. For some Christians, the story of Adam and Eve, especially Eve’s enticement to eat the “forbidden fruit,” has resulted in church practices and doctrine that treat women unfairly at best and misogynistically at worst. This is just one example of the way ancient biblical stories can be interpreted to oppress some people, emphasizing “power over” rather than “power with.”
Other more modern examples of oppressing people might include US Supreme Court rulings in the early 1900s that restricted civil rights and even citizenship based on the “one drop rule,” which said that anyone with just one black ancestor would be considered black. This use of ancestry information prevented interracial marriage and upheld white supremacy. Other US laws were created to control Native American populations.
Since much of the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is an account of God’s relationship with the nation of Israel, you can see how those of Jewish descent might interpret the story as an indication of their superiority over other ethnicities. After all, other biblical stories, such as the covenant God made with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-4; Genesis 15) show God’s commitment to Abraham’s descendants. It’s easy to look at the “winners” in your genealogy and assume you’re special. But our sermon text this week challenges that assumption and points us back to Jesus.
Let’s read Ephesians 2:11-22
Read, or have someone read the sermon text.
The context of Ephesians 2:11-22
Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus to encourage unity while he was in Rome under house arrest. The church was made up of Gentiles and former Jews who lived in a wealthy port city known for its temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis as well as it’s citizens’ love of learning. We need to place ourselves in the historical and political scenarios of Ephesus at that time. Princeton Seminary scholar Sally A. Brown writes this about how “politically charged” Paul’s talk about peace would have been during that time:
Roman emperors, Augustus in particular, were hailed as the semi-divine inaugurators of an unprecedented peace that would settle the turbulent rivalries of the Mediterranean and Asia Minor. This Roman brand of ‘peace,’ of course, was an enforced peace wrought through military dominance… ‘He [Christ] is our peace’ (verse 14) would be a pronouncement bordering on treason. What is being claimed, after all, is that despite all the swaggering claims of Rome’s emperors, true peace has been inaugurated by a man the empire crucified.
The first part of chapter 2 in Ephesians addresses how the readers (including us) have been lifted out of our broken manmade systems and selfish, egoic mindsets and then changed by the grace and love of God:
You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient. All of us once lived among them in the passions of our flesh, doing the will of flesh and senses, and we were by nature children of wrath, like everyone else, but God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which he loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved (Ephesians 2:1-5, NRSVUE)
We have been “made…alive together with Christ.” The first part of chapter 2 emphasizes that this aliveness was not our doing; it was God’s grace through Jesus Christ.
Not the result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:9, NRSVUE)
By reminding readers of Ephesians that we have been made alive in Christ without any effort on our part, Paul sets the stage for our sermon text and his argument for unity. Let’s examine three ways Paul argues that Christ has established unity among humanity: dividing wall broken, a proclamation of peace, and a holy temple.
Dividing wall broken
Paul makes the point that there were plenty of differences between the Jews and the Gentiles. One of the biggest differences was that of circumcision, which Paul describes as an act “made in the flesh by human hands” (v. 11). Paul contrasts the practice of circumcision with the power of inclusion wrought by the blood of Christ (v. 13), establishing that Jesus Christ is our peace. In some mysterious way, Christ has unified in his very body Jew and Gentile, and in a modern application, we can say Christ holds all together in unity: Blacks and whites (and all other colors), male and female, Israelis and Palestinians.
Paul goes on to elaborate how Christ has done this in v.14-16. The “dividing wall” of the law/commandments/ordinances has been broken down. No longer could the Jews have an air of superiority over the Gentiles, believing they were “right” and the Gentiles “wrong” when all were part of “one new humanity in place of the two” (v. 15). The Jews were not the only ones who put up walls. Barclay writes that “the ancient world was full of barriers,” citing an example from the writing of Cicero that said, “All men are divided into two classes – Greeks and barbarians.”
It’s easy for us to think poorly of the Jews’ snobbery over their traditions and customs, but as we seek to apply biblical principles to our modern lives, we need to ask ourselves these hard questions:
- What group of people do I routinely criticize?
- What group of people do I find it hard to see as human beings, worthy of respect and love?
- Whom do I view as very different from me?
Instead, we must focus on bringing near those we feel are different from us, those we regard as “other.” Barclay’s Commentary says that “when the rabbis spoke about accepting a convert into Judaism, they said that he had been brought near.” For us, drawing near those who seem different from us might mean praying for them and blessing them, sharing meals, or working together on a project to improve community life for everyone.
A proclamation of peace
Jesus Christ proclaims peace to both Jews and Gentiles by creating a “new humanity in place of the two.” Notice that the Gentiles did not have to become Jewish converts but were fully accepted into Christ in their “Gentileness.” They were not expected to conform to Judaism (see Paul’s letter to the Galatians). This unity in Jesus is welcoming and hospitable, founded in peace because of the Holy Spirit’s presence and work.
The unity offered in Christ should give us a moment’s pause to reflect on how welcoming and hospitable we are to those who think differently or look differently from us. As the Director of Beyond Ministries Kyle Fever writes, “We in the church should not presume that those outsiders need to become like us. The church should be a light that paves the way by welcoming both Jew and Gentile and uniting them into God’s mission in Christ.” Fever goes on to note that many churchgoers are quick to label people as “conservative” or “liberal,” American or Muslim, and other binaries rather than recognizing the complexities of being human and focusing on loving others the way Jesus loved. In simpler terms, no one needs to become like me or us; Christ leads all to become more like him.
Jesus took those “who were far off and…those who were near” (v. 17) and reconciled them. Paul uses language his ancient audience would be familiar with, contrasting “strangers and aliens” with “citizens” and “saints,” to help them understand the depth of peace that could resolve such deep-seated hatred and distrust.
A holy temple
Paul tells his readers that they (we) are citizens and saints and “members of the household of God” (v. 19), part of a holy structure that has Jesus Christ as its key touchstone. Not only that, but this holy temple is a spiritual “dwelling place for God” (v. 22). We are not only part of this “household” as we attend worship services, but because the crucified Christ has brought peace by breaking down the walls that divide, we live into a life where love and kindness build bridges of unity. By remembering God’s constant presence with us, we grow in our ability to love others. 1 Corinthians 6:19 tells us this:
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19, NRSVUE)
Sometimes this verse is used to make us feel as if we are constrained by God, not permitted to embrace our personalities or gifts fully and authentically. But what if this verse is read and interpreted like this?
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God, and that you are not [on] your own?
As God’s holy temple(s), we are much more capable of loving others when we embrace who we are in Christ and understand that the Holy Spirit is always with us. We can trust the Holy Spirit to lead us toward greater kindness, hospitality, and unity.
God’s family tree isn’t an organizational chart. There’s no hierarchy with the Jews listed on a higher rung than the Gentiles. There are no special lines on God’s family tree for weekly churchgoers with only a faint dotted line for those who attend on Christmas and Easter. Our genealogy is found in Jesus Christ, and it’s not based on what we have or haven’t done, our ethnicity, or any other factors that typically divide. Based on our sermon text for today, there should be no comparisons, no “us vs. them” thinking. Instead, there’s only love and acceptance and peace for all.
Call to Action: Think about a group or an ideology that you consider to be wrong or that you believe is responsible for causing problems. With a prayerful attitude, ask God’s blessing on this group. Rather than praying for God to change them, instead pray that they might be happy, healthy, and at peace.
For Reference:
https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-16-2/commentary-on-ephesians-211-22
https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-lectionary/ordinary-16-2/commentary-on-ephesians-211-22-4
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb/ephesians-2.html
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/05/09/our-obsession-with-ancestry-has-some-twisted-roots-maud-newton-ancestor-trouble
Simon Dent—Year B Proper 11
July 21, 2024
Ephesians 2:11-22, “But Now”
CLICK HERE to listen to the whole podcast.
If you get a chance to rate and review the show, that helps a lot. And invite your fellow preachers and Bible lovers to join us!
Follow us on Spotify and Apple Podcast.
Program Transcript
The Fullness of God w/ Simon Dent W3
Anthony: Let’s pivot to our next passage of the month. It’s Ephesians 2:11-22. It’s the Revised Common Lectionary passage for Proper 11 in Ordinary Time, which is July the 21. And it reads:
So then, remember that at one time you gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”—a circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us, 15 abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone; 21 in him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
Simon, for me, the two words “but now” are two of my favorite words in the entire New Testament, because it links what was to what is the reality in Christ. And verse 13 is one of those, “but now” bridges. Would you tell us about it, please?
Simon Dent: Yeah, it’s a beautiful picture of looking back seeing what was, but looking who we are now in Christ.
I think of Karl Barth’s, “nevertheless of God’s faithfulness,” here. All that we can see about ourselves, all of our sin, all the ways in which we are not ultimately what we’ve wanted to be. And yet we hear that great word of “nevertheless.” You’re mine. I’ve chosen you. I’ve loved you. And I will do what I need to do to make sure that you are restored and renewed and brought into fellowship with me.
And so we just see all of the “was”’s there as well: dead in transgressions and sins (earlier in chapter 2), enslaved to the lusts and the desires of the flesh; deserving of God’s wrath; separated from God’s covenant people; outsiders of the promises given to Abraham without the fulfillment of the covenant in Christ, or not knowing that; aliens without hope and without God.
And then, but now we have that moment. Once we were far away, now we’ve been brought near by the blood of Christ. We’ve been raised up with Christ by grace, not by works, but just by his amazing grace. And now we’ve been given good works to do. So not only have we been saved and brought into this relationship, we participate by the Spirit in what God is doing.
And ultimately that means that we have peace, deep peace with God, but ultimately that calling of peace to one another where what separated us has been broken in the death of Christ. And ultimately that’s the wall of our judgment of each other, according to the law.
But we’ve all been judged in the death of Christ now. And we’ve been justified in his resurrection. And so that’s the peace we have with God. Therefore, we see each of us on the same plane in that. And the calling then is to walk in peace with one another.
Anthony Mullins: Verse 14 tells us that Jesus himself is our peace. And we read about, as you just talked about, this one new humanity, the dividing wall of hostility has been crushed in Christ. As I look about me, there’s wars, ideological differences, sectarian strife, suspicion of neighbor and nations, political rancor, and just a general lack of respect and civility for the other.
One new humanity living in peace and reconciliation, it can seem like it’s pixie dust or a fairytale instead of Christological truth. And yet we trust that scripture is pointing us to the truth. So, tell us about that. What’s going on? And what do we do in light of this gospel proclamation?
Simon Dent: Yeah, I think we live in the now and not yet, where all of this is true about us. And yet our own minds still need to be further transformed by the Spirit so that what is ultimately true about us can be something that is demonstrated in a way that we live and accept one another.
In many ways, you look at the world and you see everybody is either ruled in or ruled out according to some kind of law, whatever that might be — a way of seeking to have power over others. But the reality of what Christ has done in actually coming and saving sinners, lifting them up to, be adopted in Christ and to know the joy of the Father, and therefore be those who demonstrate peace is something that takes a while for our brains and our hearts and our minds to really understand.
And so, we continue to go back to the gospel, we continue to hear this truth, we continue to listen to podcasts like yours, so that the Spirit can take what is true to that reality, bring peace to our own hearts. When we have peace in our own hearts, then we can extend that peace to one another.
But yeah, you look at the world and this vision of union, even within churches and within our own families, even in ourselves, when we look at the mirror, this is not ultimately what I see, but we live in hope.
And the hope is there is an objective reality that’s happened to us in Christ. And if we fix our minds on that, fix our minds on him, the author and the perfecter of our faith, we find that the Holy Spirit does bring us a deeper freedom in that. So, we are enabled to deal with issues, face the difficulties that separate people, and seek to bring a word of peace in that situation.
But it is a vision for really the end of time as well. Ultimately, we long for that day when Christ will actually put an end to all types of division with people. And that is the day that’s coming.
Anthony Mullins: Hallelujah. Praise God that it is, and we do long for it.
And I appreciated what you said about, I’m talking about what I see about me on the exterior, but you also identified this warring is going on internally that way. I want to believe; I am a believer, but help me in my unbelief, Lord.
And I think of what Bart said, “I was, and I am the old man. I am and will be the new man.” There is still this tension as we long for the not yet aspect. Yeah.
Simon Dent: Yeah. Amen. And that gives us hope, doesn’t it? To make sure that there is a not yet, means that you can look at this world and actually say, but the yet, it’s coming.
Anthony Mullins: Amen.
Program Transcript
The Fullness of God w/ Simon Dent W3
Anthony: Let’s pivot to our next passage of the month. It’s Ephesians 2:11-22. It’s the Revised Common Lectionary passage for Proper 11 in Ordinary Time, which is July the 21. And it reads:
So then, remember that at one time you gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”—a circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us, 15 abolishing the law with its commandments and ordinances, that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone; 21 in him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling place for God.
Simon, for me, the two words “but now” are two of my favorite words in the entire New Testament, because it links what was to what is the reality in Christ. And verse 13 is one of those, “but now” bridges. Would you tell us about it, please?
Simon Dent: Yeah, it’s a beautiful picture of looking back seeing what was, but looking who we are now in Christ.
I think of Karl Barth’s, “nevertheless of God’s faithfulness,” here. All that we can see about ourselves, all of our sin, all the ways in which we are not ultimately what we’ve wanted to be. And yet we hear that great word of “nevertheless.” You’re mine. I’ve chosen you. I’ve loved you. And I will do what I need to do to make sure that you are restored and renewed and brought into fellowship with me.
And so we just see all of the “was”’s there as well: dead in transgressions and sins (earlier in chapter 2), enslaved to the lusts and the desires of the flesh; deserving of God’s wrath; separated from God’s covenant people; outsiders of the promises given to Abraham without the fulfillment of the covenant in Christ, or not knowing that; aliens without hope and without God.
And then, but now we have that moment. Once we were far away, now we’ve been brought near by the blood of Christ. We’ve been raised up with Christ by grace, not by works, but just by his amazing grace. And now we’ve been given good works to do. So not only have we been saved and brought into this relationship, we participate by the Spirit in what God is doing.
And ultimately that means that we have peace, deep peace with God, but ultimately that calling of peace to one another where what separated us has been broken in the death of Christ. And ultimately that’s the wall of our judgment of each other, according to the law.
But we’ve all been judged in the death of Christ now. And we’ve been justified in his resurrection. And so that’s the peace we have with God. Therefore, we see each of us on the same plane in that. And the calling then is to walk in peace with one another.
Anthony Mullins: Verse 14 tells us that Jesus himself is our peace. And we read about, as you just talked about, this one new humanity, the dividing wall of hostility has been crushed in Christ. As I look about me, there’s wars, ideological differences, sectarian strife, suspicion of neighbor and nations, political rancor, and just a general lack of respect and civility for the other.
One new humanity living in peace and reconciliation, it can seem like it’s pixie dust or a fairytale instead of Christological truth. And yet we trust that scripture is pointing us to the truth. So, tell us about that. What’s going on? And what do we do in light of this gospel proclamation?
Simon Dent: Yeah, I think we live in the now and not yet, where all of this is true about us. And yet our own minds still need to be further transformed by the Spirit so that what is ultimately true about us can be something that is demonstrated in a way that we live and accept one another.
In many ways, you look at the world and you see everybody is either ruled in or ruled out according to some kind of law, whatever that might be — a way of seeking to have power over others. But the reality of what Christ has done in actually coming and saving sinners, lifting them up to, be adopted in Christ and to know the joy of the Father, and therefore be those who demonstrate peace is something that takes a while for our brains and our hearts and our minds to really understand.
And so, we continue to go back to the gospel, we continue to hear this truth, we continue to listen to podcasts like yours, so that the Spirit can take what is true to that reality, bring peace to our own hearts. When we have peace in our own hearts, then we can extend that peace to one another.
But yeah, you look at the world and this vision of union, even within churches and within our own families, even in ourselves, when we look at the mirror, this is not ultimately what I see, but we live in hope.
And the hope is there is an objective reality that’s happened to us in Christ. And if we fix our minds on that, fix our minds on him, the author and the perfecter of our faith, we find that the Holy Spirit does bring us a deeper freedom in that. So, we are enabled to deal with issues, face the difficulties that separate people, and seek to bring a word of peace in that situation.
But it is a vision for really the end of time as well. Ultimately, we long for that day when Christ will actually put an end to all types of division with people. And that is the day that’s coming.
Anthony Mullins: Hallelujah. Praise God that it is, and we do long for it.
And I appreciated what you said about, I’m talking about what I see about me on the exterior, but you also identified this warring is going on internally that way. I want to believe; I am a believer, but help me in my unbelief, Lord.
And I think of what Bart said, “I was, and I am the old man. I am and will be the new man.” There is still this tension as we long for the not yet aspect. Yeah.
Simon Dent: Yeah. Amen. And that gives us hope, doesn’t it? To make sure that there is a not yet, means that you can look at this world and actually say, but the yet, it’s coming.
Anthony Mullins: Amen.
Small Group Discussion Questions
- The ancient world had plenty of walls dividing people, including gender, ethnicity, and class. Does this surprise you? What similarities do you see in our world today?
- How do you think Jesus Christ brings peace and breaks down walls that divide? Do you have a personal example or a biblical example that you’d like to share?
- In Christ, Paul writes about the creation of a “new humanity in place of the two,” making it clear that the Gentiles did not have to become Jews to be included in Christ. In other words, they didn’t have to change who they were to be loved, welcomed, and accepted. How can the church create an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves?
- Paul writes that in Christ, those “who once were far off have been brought near.” What are some ways we can “bring near” those who are different from us? In other words, what practices might be helpful to move our hearts from fear and criticism toward welcome and hospitality?
