For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Ephesians 2:14 – 18

All of us believers, no matter what culture or age, experience a peace that is more real than the morning sun.  The reason for this is that Jesus Christ himself is our peace.  He moves into us to enable us to live like him and to think like him, to forgive like him.  This is a mystery I am beginning to value more highly than ever.

I need to look again at this miracle of God’s grace.  Paul wrote that Jesus broke down the walls that separate.  How did that happen?   Here we stand before a mystery of grace.   Read carefully.  Jesus set aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.  He did not say that the Law of Moses is of no effect, just that it is removed from the center.  By so doing Jesus created in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace.

Jesus absorbed Jews and Gentiles in his body and died on the cross to destroy the enmity that separated them.  Jews and Gentiles, all people for that matter, find that Jesus has reconciled each to God by the Cross he bore.  As far as salvation is concerned there is absolutely no difference between them.  Jesus’ one sacrifice saves each which enables them to love one another.  I bow before this overwhelming grace of God.  A hymn says, “He interposed his precious blood.”

Because of that work of mercy on the Cross, the answer to human relationships at last has an answer, Jesus himself is our peace.  What Paul is writing about, the relationship between Jews and Gentiles, is apo pro to every human relationship.  I saw it working between hostile African groups.  I stood in amazement as Jesus became the peace between groups.   This Scripture is absolutely true!