Reconciliation

Laura Digan June 21, 2022 0 0

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Ephesians 2: 11-22 (NRSVA)

11 So then, remember that at one time you Gentiles by birth, called ‘the uncircumcision’ by those who are called ‘the circumcision’—a physical circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— 12 remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, 20 built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are built together spiritually into a dwelling-place for God.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens but fellow-citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. 

Isn’t this wonderful, all people everywhere are now free to come to God through Christ. There is equality in Christ. 

But is there really? Do we live this in our day to day lives? Do we show this equality to our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world? And if they are not believers do we share the transforming love of Christ equally and to all? 

I’m going to say something now which may challenge you and you may find offensive. I don’t think we do reflect this equality in Christ in our individual or national lives. Even in 2022 some lives seem to be more worthy than others. We just need to look at our treatment of refugees. Many people in the UK have opened up their homes to Ukrainians fleeing the war. But what about the refugees coming from areas of conflict in Africa, are we showing that same welcome, the love of Christ to them? Or refugees from Afghanistan and Yemen? If we are honest with ourselves I think we will agree we are not showing an equality of welcome or love. Why is this? Is it because Ukrainians look more like the majority of us living here in the UK, white European? Are brown and black skins not worthy of the same love, the same welcome? 

PRAYER:

Father God, 

We are all your children.

You knew each and every one of us before we were even in our mother’s womb.

We are all precious in your eyes.

Christ came to reconcile all of your children to you. 

I’m sorry Father for the times I judge others.

I’m sorry for the times when I view another human life as less important.

Father challenge me in my prejudices

And help me to see you in everyone who I encounter, 

And allow me the opportunities to share your transforming love with those who may be very different from me but who desperately need the comfort of that love.

Amen