Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:17-18
And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Ephesians 2:17-18
he necessity of bringing the declaration of peace to the transgressor is another way of showing the glorious praise of God’s limitless grace to His people. This is to make known joyously to the sinners or unbelieving gentiles who were brought near by the Father Himself to His Son, the peace given to them by the Son Himself, who is the Peacemaker, who mediated God and Mankind. Part of our new state and reality in Christ, which the apostle Paul is reminding the believers in Ephesus (extended to us as well), is the glorious unification of both believing Jews and Gentiles into one body, namely the Church [God’s Covenant people]. This is to possess both the Peacemaker Himself, and the peace that He gives to His own people!
In presenting God’s purposes for Jews and Gentiles, Paul moves from describing Gentile alienation from both God and the Jewish people [Covenant people] (2:11-12), to their reconciliation to the Lord and the believing Jews (2:13-16). He then continues to widen this glorious truth that both believing Jews and Gentiles have: “And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father (vv.17-18)”. Isaiah prophesied a day when God’s peace would be proclaimed to Jews “far” and “near” – I have seen his ways, but I will heal him; I will lead him and restore comfort to him and his mourners, creating the fruit of the lips. Peace, peace, to the far and to the near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal him. (Is. 57:18-19). Through the gospel of Christ, the Spirit brings Gentiles “you who were far off” and Jews “those who were near” together as true Israel [God’s Covenant People] before the Father, in fulfillment of Isaiah’s promise. Christ proclaimed His peacemaking achievement in the cross to the Gentiles, though not literally in the flesh either before or after His resurrection, instead, He traveled through His apostles and heralds such as Paul, whose ministry is to proclaim the mystery of the gospel of peace that brings all people into God’s everlasting kingdom or household. And this peace again, is promised and claimed only through the Prince of Peace, who is also the Peacemaker that has pledged Himself to His people to be their very peace!
And now dear saint, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Let this peace that has been brought and made known to you by the Peacemaker/Prince of Peace reign in your lives, as His chosen and redeemed people! And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Finally, may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Have you considered to really understand what it means to be reconciled with God and be part of His covenant people?
2. Do you continue to grow in need of His grace?
3. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Pray
Father in Heaven, the God of peace, thank You for making Your peace in Your Son brought and made known to me. For through it, I have been given this access to You as my Heavenly Father, who abounds in steadfast love for me. May I continue to grow in this peace, that my heart may be ruled and guarded by it. This I pray, in the name of Your Son, Christ Jesus. Amen.
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