Ephesians 2:14-18 “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. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”
Last Sunday, Pastor Herk continued in his Sermon series in the Book of Ephesians. This week he preached that Jesus tears down walls that separate us from God and separate us from others. It is human nature to build walls in our life, creating safe areas where what you want stays in and what you do not what stays out. We know of the Great Wall of China, the Border Wall between Mexico, and the Berlin Wall in Germany. Many single-family houses have fences along their property line, there are walled-in gates communities and entire cities used to have walls completely around them. The Greek word “Polis” literally means “City”, but also refers to the walls the encompassed the city used for protection from invaders. We get our English words Metropolis (meaning Mother City), Police (Greek ‘politeia’), and Citizen (Greek ‘poiltes’).
One thing that all walls have in common is that they cause separation. They are built to keep things on both sides from getting to the other side. Sometimes, when walls are erected for the wrong reason, not performing their intended use or are causing harm, they have to be torn down. Example: the Berlin Wall, which divided Germany, when torn down reunited the nation in peace. The main theme of the Ephesians passage (above) is peace also. For he [Jesus] himself is our peace. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and He came and preached peace to you and I. Unfortunately, the word “peace” is viewed quite different from what the Apostle Paul was communicating to us.
Per Strong’s Dictionary of Bible Words, the Greek word used for “peace” is “eirēnē”, which commonly means (1) a state of national tranquility; exemption from the rage and havoc of war, (2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord, (3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous). Yet, of the Messiah's peace, it is the way that leads to peace (salvation), and of Christianity, it is the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is; the blessed state of devout and upright men after death.
Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The 1828 Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language defines the word peace as: 1. In a general sense, a state of quiet or tranquility; freedom from disturbance or agitation; applicable to society, to individuals, or to the temper of the mind. 2. Freedom from war with a foreign nation; public quiet. 3. Freedom from internal commotion or civil war. 4. Freedom from private quarrels, suits or disturbance. 5. Freedom from agitation or disturbance by the passions, as from fear, terror, anger, anxiety or the like; quietness of mind; tranquility; calmness; quiet of conscience. 6. Heavenly rest; the happiness of heaven. 7. Harmony; concord; a state of reconciliation between parties at variance. 8. Public tranquility; that quiet, order and security which is guaranteed by the laws; as, to keep the peace; to break the peace. This word is used in commanding silence or quiet; as “peace and quiet”.
The word “peace” in this passage’s content denotes a sense of well-being or wholeness that we have by the salvation that is offered to mankind by God, so we feel “at peace”. The word refers to both the vertical relationship that we have with God and to the horizontal relationship that we have among people. The apostle Paul clearly points out the there is “the barrier, the dividing wall” that separate us from God and separate people from each other. The way that people think is still true today, but Jesus is the One who tears down those walls and brings true peace, pure harmony and real tranquility in our lives.
In the next post, let's continue Pastor Herk's message on tearing down walls in our lives.
In Christ, Brian
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