Ephesians 2:14-15 14For he himself is our peace, who has made both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,
The church is the people of God commissioned with the task of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ as the answer for all the world’s needs. These verses show the source of unity between Jew and Gentile. The Ephesian church needed to be reminded of this core concept as the church grew and incorporated more people from each group. Jesus is our peace. This peace means that Jesus Christ brought reconciliation with God and unity to all who call upon his name in faith.
This broken world looks for peace but never quite finds it. Peace is the opposite of alienation because it restores the brokenness of relationships. This peace and reconciliation with God comes through Jesus’ death and resurrection (Romans 5:10). Peace with God will make peace with others possible.
Jesus is peace by bringing people together into one body, the church. He creates a new unified people that is not based on religious background, cultural categories, or economic status (Galatians 3:28). He does not just bring peace but is himself peace ( Isaiah 9:6). It is only when we are united with Christ that we can be united with one another. He is the center that joins all believers together. If He is not at the center, unity is impossible. If he is not at the center, something or someone else will be–usually ourselves. The flesh and the values of the world will cause the church to split apart. This is the danger that threatened the Corinthian church (see 1 Corinthians).
The church is a new entity that continues the story of the people of God of the Old Testament. The church is the new Israel, made up of both Jews and Gentiles. This goes beyond nationality to the level of faith, which is available to all people because of God’s grace. Jews and Gentiles of trust in Jesus are changed and become part of “Israel,” the people of God (Romans 11). This brings unity that bridges cultures for Christ. The dividing walls that separate people are broken down in Jesus’ flesh. Flesh refers to his physical body that he sacrificed on the cross.
His death abolished the law and its commandments that separated Jews and Gentiles, especially the practice of circumcision. In the context of first century Judaism, during which Paul wrote this letter, many Jews believed that Gentiles were outsiders of God’s promise and, therefore, lost. What separated Jews from Gentiles was the law, particularly the ceremonial laws. The law was a fence that divided people into two groups: people who were “in” and those who were “out.” The Jews interpreted this wall as protection from the impurity of the Gentiles, and so they built up their own walls through their oral teachings to protect the written law. This is one of the big criticisms Jesus had against the Jewish leaders. The moral law is not done away with but only the law that kept the Gentiles on the outside of God’s people. Jesus brings an end to the law as separation and shows that salvation is by faith (Romans 10:4).
Peace, reconciliation, and unity are only available through the cross. The new entity of the church is based on the new creation of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Christ made something new, not just reforming something old. Christ makes possible a new humanity (Ephesians 4:21-24). The same creative power that spoke the word into existence is the same power that speaks our lives and the church into a new existence. God has reversed our fortunes and given us new life.
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