Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

Ephesians 2:19 – 22

Paul probably has Gentile readers in mind.  He assures them that they are fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  I am not sure which group was more surprised, the Jews who always considered they are the “called of God” or the Gentile believers who had no roots at all in the Jewish covenant.  Each group wondered at the newness and glory of this truth, and both realized that in Christ all had to give up something because they were led by the Lord to love people that centuries of prejudice kept them apart.

The new community of faith that included Jews and Gentiles is a new family.  That is as intimate as any relationship. Jews and Gentiles together, is it possible?  What seems impossible is actually a new reality, made possible by the work and presence of Jesus Christ who is the cornerstone of the new building, the church.

The foundation of this new thing on the earth is built on the apostles and prophets, all of them.  Now, behold, Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.  The new thing is possible because of Jesus Christ who was himself a Jew, but the savior of Gentiles as well, equally called.

Friends, do you, as I, stand in awe of all this?  God led me, Anna Ruth, and family to experience this as members of the churches in East Africa who were newcomers to the church of Jesus Christ.  Our unity with all believers is possible because of the atoning ministry of Jesus Christ.   Moses is important, Socrates is important as are a host of others who lived to some degree with God.  But the important one is none other than Jesus Christ.

I cling to him, others cling to him, we are in his new body.  Hold tight!