The Wall and Veil

Can you imagine being a part of the early church in Ephesus? Receiving letters from the Apostle Paul himself? Realizing that the Savior of the world lived among us only decades earlier?

Reality so clear; History so alive; Truth so near.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ was preached to all men far and near; Jews and Gentiles alike. Many Jews believed...many did not. Jesus told the disciples to

"go and make disciples of all nations"

...and they did.

Jesus prayed to His Father "that they would be one as we are one."

But the believers needed reminding of what God had intended. They were very aware of the division between the Jews and Gentiles. The temple in Jerusalem had a dividing wall to keep the Gentiles from entering into the inner courts where the sacrifices were performed.

There was even a sign in place, so there was no mistake.

In 1871, a temple wall was discovered with the inscription:

“Let no foreigner enter within the partition and enclosure surrounding the temple.

Whoever is arrested will himself be responsible for his death which will follow."

Paul urged the Ephesians to remember that "you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world." Eph. 2:12

But the final sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, has made all one in Him.

Jesus has "broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." 2: 14

"to reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility." 2:15

"through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." 2:18

Having been reconciled to the Father through His son, all Christians are now part of One Body. 1 Cor. 12:12

We are His holy Temple.

"Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone" 2:20

It is still true today...

Reality so clear; History so alive; Truth so near.

Let us be reminded. We are One Body. We have access to the Father only through Jesus, His son. The wall of hostility has been destroyed...

and the veil was torn

It is finished.

May we trust Him,