"For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall," - Ephesians 2:14 (NASB)
The phrase “He Himself is our peace” underscores the unique central role of Jesus Christ in bringing reconciliation and unity. The term “peace” is significant; it represents the idea of the restoration of that which was broken, the healing of divisions, and the establishment of unity. This peace is more than just a feeling; it’s a state of being. It comes from making amends with God, which happened through Christ’s work, especially His death on the cross. Christ’s death brought people back in harmony with God and with each other, removing hostility and establishing a new relationship with God and His law. The concept finds root in the Old Testament, where the Messiah is foretold as the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 and Zechariah 6:12-13). You might want to see the beautiful passage in John 14:27 where Jesus says, “Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful”. It’s not simply that we have peace; we have Jesus and Jesus is peace. He doesn’t just give peace; He, Himself is peace.
Jesus is the one “who made both groups into one”. The identity of believers is no longer defined by the distinctions of Jew or Gentile, but as Christians (see Ephesians 2:15; 4:4; Romans 2:28-29; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11). This revelation, previously concealed, is brought to light in the book of Ephesians, and is integral to God’s overarching plan (see Genesis 3:15), beginning with the selection of Abraham to establish a community destined to bring blessing to the world (Genesis 12:3; Exodus 19:5-6). This thematic thread serves as a unifying element bridging the Old and New Testaments.
The phrase “the barrier of the dividing wall,” essentially means “the middle wall of partition,”. In this context, it clearly pertains to the Mosaic law (cf. verse 15). Some scholars have suggested that it could be a reference to the barrier in Herod’s temple that separated the court of the Gentiles from the court of the Women, thus dividing Jewish and Gentile worshipers. A similar symbolism of breaking down barriers is evident in the tearing of the temple veil from top to bottom at the time of Jesus’ death (cf. Matthew 27:51). But the real barrier is not the temple in Jerusalem, it’s the Mosaic law. The Mosaic Law is the real problem. The Mosaic Law is the real barrier that separated men, and Jesus has abolished the Mosaic law. This signifies that unity is now achievable and is indeed the will of God (cf. Ephesians 1:10; Ephesians 4:1-10).
Jesus Christ answers the question about Jews and Gentiles, and how they’re related to each other by breaking down the wall that kept them apart. You see, something really happened when Jesus died. Man and God were reconciled, not Jews and God, but all mankind. You see, if there’s only one God, it’s just logical that God’s ultimate purpose was reuniting all men in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who has made both Jews and Gentiles into one body. Jesus is the one who has the mechanism for doing this. He is our peace. This “one new body” is the theme of the next few verses.
THE PEACE JESUS PROMISED
In times of trials and tribulation,
A peace transcending every situation.
Spiritual, it flows from within,
A fruit of the Spirit, free from sin.
Peculiar to the friends of Jesus,
A gift to cherish, a bond that frees us.
United to Him, through faith we find,
A tranquil haven for the troubled mind.
Unruffled amidst life's storms and strife,
This peace endures the trials of life.
Though darkness falls and tempests roar,
It blossoms still, forevermore.
Through sunny days and nights of sorrow,
This peace remains, today and tomorrow.
No force on earth can make it cease,
The everlasting peace of perfect peace.
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