Today’s Theme for Prayer – Jesus Desires to Save Me
How Do I Allow Jesus to Act Freely in Me?
Becoming One: Jesus’s Pursuit of Union
Eph 2:11-22
Therefore, remember that at one time you, Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by those called the circumcision, which is done in the flesh by human hands, were at that time without Christ, alienated from the community of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, he who made both one and broke down the dividing wall of enmity, through his flesh, abolishing the law with its commandments and legal claims, that he might create in himself one new person in place of the two, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile both with God, in one body, through the cross, putting that enmity to death by it. He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near, for through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. Through him the whole structure is held together and grows into a temple sacred in the Lord; in him you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Grace Prayed For
Grace to recognize our belonging in God’s family: The scripture emphasizes that we are no longer strangers but “fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.” We can pray for the grace to truly feel this sense of belonging, to find our identity and security in Christ, and to live as members of his family.
Reflection
This passage from Ephesians 2 paints a powerful picture of Jesus’s relentless pursuit of union with us. It’s a deeply intimate message, revealing the very heart of God’s desire for connection.
Let’s sit with the image of being “far off.” Before Christ, we were strangers, alienated, without hope, without God. This wasn’t just a physical distance, but a deep spiritual chasm. We were outside the family, outside the promise, adrift in a world that offered no true belonging. Imagine the ache of that isolation, the longing for a place to truly call home.
Then, the scripture declares, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have become near by the blood of Christ.” This “nearness” isn’t a casual proximity; it’s an intimate embrace. The blood of Christ, the ultimate sacrifice, bridged the impossible gap. It wasn’t just a bridge, but a complete dismantling of the “dividing wall of enmity.” This wall represents everything that separates us from God: sin, fear, misunderstanding, the weight of the law. Jesus, through his flesh, through his very being, abolished this barrier.
The image of creating “one new person” is particularly poignant. It speaks to a profound merging, a blending of what was once separate. It’s not just about bringing two groups together, but creating something entirely new, a unified entity in Christ. This is intimacy at its core: becoming one with him, sharing in his very nature.
Think about the phrase “dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” We are not just visitors in God’s house; we are the house. God chooses to dwell within us, to make us his home. This is an incredible level of intimacy, a constant, indwelling presence. It’s like two hearts beating as one, two lives intertwined.
Jesus didn’t just passively offer peace; he “preached peace.” He actively pursued us, reaching out to both those who were “far off” and those who were “near,” extending the same invitation to union. Through him, we have access in one Spirit to the Father. This is the ultimate access, the deepest level of intimacy: direct connection to the source of all love and being.
This scripture isn’t just a historical account; it’s a living invitation. It’s a reminder that Jesus yearns for us, that his deepest desire is to be one with us. He has torn down every barrier, bridged every gap, and made himself a home within us. Let us rest in this truth, allowing this intimate connection to transform our lives and draw us ever closer to the heart of God.
Growing in Intimacy/Union with Jesus
It emphasizes the bridging work of Christ’s sacrifice: The phrase “by the blood of Christ” underscores the intimate sacrifice Jesus made to reconcile us to God. This wasn’t a mere transaction but a deeply personal act of love. Meditating on this sacrifice draws us closer to Jesus as we recognize the extent of his devotion. It wasn’t just a bridge built, but built with his very life.
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post