Ephesians 2:17-18 17And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Verse 17 answers the question, why did Jesus come to earth and die on a cross? This verse summarizes the previous verses and addresses a core human need and desire. Jesus’ death on the cross brought reconciliation between God and humanity, and the result of this is peace. People seek peace but do not know where to find it. The peace that comes through human means is temporary at best. The peace of Christ is eternal because it is the direct result of restored relationship with the eternal God. The word for preached has the same idea as “gospel” or “good news” embedded within it. The good news is peace. The Gospels record several times when Jesus specifically pronounced peace upon someone (Mark 5:34; Luke 7:50; 24:36; John 14:27; 16:33; 20:19, 21, 24). Jesus’ peace is not like the world’s peace because it deals more deeply with the human problem of sin and the consequence of alienation.
Jesus preached peace to two groups. Those far off refers to the Gentiles who are far away from the Old Testament covenants and ignorant of the promises of God. Those who are near refers to the Jews who have these things. But just because the Jews have the covenants and promises does not necessarily make them “in” God’s family. Adoption as the children of God comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul is attempting to show in this passage that a new people, a third entity, is created “in Christ Jesus.”
Both Jews and Gentiles now have access to God through Christ, resulting in peace with God (Romans 5:1-2). No longer do people have to go to a temple to experience God’s presence (if that was even ever God’s intention). Believers are now the temples of God (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19). Through Christ, the great mediator, we can be in fellowship with the Holy God. To be the church is to be united in Christ in one body through the Spirit resulting in access to the Father. The Holy Spirit is the means by which this fellowship happens. Living by the flesh leads to division; the Spirit brings unity and peace (Romans 15:13). One body (v. 16) and one Spirit (v. 18) are mentioned also in 4:4. The church as the body of Christ continues Christ’s mission of reconciliation and peace.
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