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 4:17, 18

Even though Paul does not say it, I do believe he is citing the Gentile believers when he says they were far away.  It is true.  They were never in the Covenant that God revealed to the Jewish believers.  However, by embracing Jesus and allowing Him to save and change them, they who were far away are now near.

Those who were near, as I see it, were the Jewish believers who were then living in many places in Greece and beyond where they testified to the love of God.  Their base was the synagogue that could be established anywhere the Jews lived.  So it was in Ephesus.

Paul makes it clear that through Jesus both Jews and Gentiles have equal access to the Father by one Spirit.   That is the only way!  Culture can not bind them, nor language or history.  Christ binds them together as a new people, his followers from all cultures!

Yesterday Anna Ruth and I worshiped with our precious believers at Chestnut Hill Mennonite Church.  In some ways we resembled one another, all white, middle class, nicely dressed and happy.  We may not have given it a thought that we are part of the world-wide body of Jesus Christ!  No matter, that is true.

This is such an amazing miracle that we stand before it in amazement.  This was not our desire or our doing but God’s huge saving work.  Praise his name forever and ever.