Invictus, a film starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon and set in South Africa at apartheid’s end, tells the story of Nelson Mandela’s inaugural years as South Africa’s first black president. The opening scenes are grim, showing blacks playing soccer in a dumpy, dusty field, while whites, clad in crisp, clean uniforms, are playing rugby on a plush field directly across the road. As Mandela’s motorcade passes between the two (presumably heading to his new office at the capital), the white rugby coach says, “Remember this day, boys. This is the day our country went to the dogs.”
Human history is littered with horrific stories of one human set against another, one race set against another, one country set against another. For the Ephesians, the central division was between Jews and Gentiles. Hatred, fear, and pride (as well as a misapplication of God’s instructions) made these neighbors hostile enemies.
Even more dreadful, however, is the sad tale of the way we humans have set ourselves against God. Because of our arrogant ways, we have run from God’s love. As a result, Scripture says, we are “outsiders” (1 Corinthians 5:12). To be an outsider is to be separated, distanced—far from fellow humans and far from God. Paul sets the result in dire terms. Left to ourselves, we’re “without God and without hope” (Ephesians 2:12). Can you imagine a more lonely and despairing description than hopeless outsiders?
By God’s grace we haven’t been left in this predicament, for He came to us in Jesus. God, whom we had abandoned and pushed far away, came near. and “brought peace to us” (Ephesians 2:14)—peace with Him and, in turn, peace offered to all humanity. Wherever people face separation, hostility, or aloneness, God offers Himself. Peace is near, for God is near.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 5:1-16
More:
Read all of Ephesians 2 and write down what life was like without God and then in contrast what life is like with God.
Next:
What person do you feel distant from and how would obeying God bring you nearer to him or her? Where do you feel distant from God, and how do you sense God is pursuing you in spite of that distance?
daisymarygoldr on October 13, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Just like it was back then, the distance between individuals based on racial/ethnic, theological, cultural, and economic lines exists—not just in the unsaved world outside but even within the Church, today.
What does one do, when insiders act like outsiders? For the Ephesians, the central division between Jews and Gentiles was based on religious grounds. But now the division in the church is a racial issue.
Congregations remain segregated on color—and there is a lot of subtle anti-Semitism in the church that is predominantly made up of Gentiles. Always, God identifies with the oppressed. Jews are the most hated, most oppressed, most marginalized people the world has ever known, yet when God came as a man, He came as one of them.
Sadly, that middle wall is still standing tall. Those who are distanced from God and one another can come near and be at peace in Jesus Christ—only through the same Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18). In other words, it is not possible to dissolve the distance without being transformed by the Spirit of our heavenly Father.
And the pursuit of peace does not require losing one’s individuality. The distinction needs to be maintained in order for unity to flourish in diversity. You see, peace is “the fruit of the Spirit” that can be enjoyed by all those who walk in the Spirit.
winn collier on October 13, 2011 at 6:46 pm
thanks for the thoughtful response. it’s challenging to see that the wall actually is torn down, as God says it is – so we are living the old lie. but, as you point out, we’re living the lie quite well. sad.
mike wittmer on October 14, 2011 at 2:27 pm
This is a reminder I always need to hear. I was that outsider, and I would still be there if Jesus hadn’t come out to me and invited me in.
winn collier on October 14, 2011 at 2:53 pm
that’s two of us.