A Wall Broken Down

One of the defining moments of the 1980’s was when President Ronald Reagan implored Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall. It was seen as an opportunity for freedom to flourish in Germany. After the end of WWII, the wall separated communist East Germany from the more democratic West Germany. For years, individuals longed and hoped that one day Germany would be united and free. No longer would there be the obstacle blocking the hope of unity. Finally, all Germans could be together in one nation. For those of us who can remember, we saw with our own eyes an event that was both monumental and life changing.

With that being said, there is another time in history where a wall was destroyed that is even more important than the fall of the Berlin Wall. Its destruction gave the opportunity for liberty to all of mankind. For many years, the physical descendants of Abraham, the Israelites, were considered to be “God’s people”. Israel was in covenant relationship with God, and therefore they received the blessings that came from being such. That was wonderful for Israel, but what about all of the rest of humanity? What hope did Gentiles have? There was a figurative wall separating Israel from the Gentiles. Thankfully, that wall came “tumbling down” as well!

When writing what we now call the book of Ephesians, Paul explained the details of this amazing event. “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:11-22).

What a great reason to rejoice and be grateful. There is no “wall” keeping some of mankind from being God’s people! Thanks to Jesus, every person, whether they are Jew or Gentile, can obey the Gospel and be a part of “the household of God”. Paul also wrote, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom. 1:16). Let us make sure that we have been obedient to the Gospel, and that we are living faithful lives. If we are, then nothing will keep us from being with God in Heaven one day.
~Corey Barnette