Remember: What God Has Done Pt 4

In high school, it was exciting whenever I attended a concert by one of my favorite eighties bands, but I used to dream of something even more exciting than going to a concert – getting backstage passes, watching and listening to the band from the side of the stage. Maybe I’d even get to meet them, or they’d brush by me as they left the stage [swoon]. Now, I never could have walked to the backstage entrance and expected to be let through just because I was Tara, and I loved the music. No, to be let through, the band or maybe the manager would have to grant me access. The security team would have to be aware that I was granted access and let me through. Sadly for me (or a blessing looking back), no backstage passes. No meeting the band. No swooning.

As we come to our last two verses of remembering what God has done, Paul shares the access we have been granted that is infinitely better, more valuable, and lasting than a backstage pass to a concert.

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 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. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.[1]

Ephesians 2:11-22 (emphasis added)

For Paul, unity between Jews and Gentiles in Christ was part of the awe of the Gospel. “And he came and preached peace to you were far off and peace to those who were near” (vs 17). The Greek word euangelizōfor preached literally means “to bring or announce good news.” The majority of times euangelizō is used in the New Testament is in relation to the Gospel. The good news has now gone to both the Jews and the Gentiles. Although it is difficult to know if Paul means Jesus preached peace, the Apostles’ teaching of the Gospel, the message through Scripture, or all of the above (Romans 10:14-17; John 10:3, 5, 16), we do know what we have already learned about peace in this section. The Gospel brings peace between God and man which results in peace between believers, Jews and Gentiles. John MacArthur summarized, “The God of peace (1 Cor. 14:33; Heb. 13:20) calls His people to peace (1 Cor. 7:15).[2]

Jesus preached peace to those who were far off (the Gentiles) and peace to those who were near (Jews, Acts 10:36; Isaiah 57:19). Jews and Gentiles have both been made members of God’s family by the shed blood of Jesus.

 “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (vs 18).[3] Why can peace be proclaimed to Jews and Gentiles? Through Jesus atoning death by the applied work of the same Spirit. The result is access to the Father. This access is what Paul meant when he said we have been brought near by the blood of Christ (vs 13). The Greek word for access is used in the New Testament only three times with each use referring to the access those in Christ have to God (Romans 5:2; Ephesians 3:12). This is peace that we are reconciled to God by Jesus’ blood.

There was a related word to access that was used in the ancient world to describe an official who brought a person into the king’s presence. This person didn’t obtain access by his own merit but because it was granted to him/her. Esther is an example of this. She risked death even as the Queen if she went into the King without being granted access to him.

I have learned many beautiful things about a shepherd and his sheep in looking at Psalm 23, but I learned a new aspect of a shepherd’s care. In Bible times, a shepherd would put the sheep in a pen for protection, whether it was an existing pen or a temporary one erected for the night. After the shepherd counted the sheep and tended to their wounds, he would then lay down across the small opening to the pen. He was the door. Jesus spoke of Himself being both the Good Shepherd and the door by which we enter and are saved (John 10:1-14). The only means by which we have access to the Father is through Jesus.

Through Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on our behalf, by the Spirit, we have access to the Father. Unlike backstage access, we aren’t standing off to the side, hoping for a few words or a brief meeting with band members who won’t remember us five minutes later. The night will end, and we go back to our everyday lives. And as emphatic as we may be in that concert moment, vowing never to forget this thrilling experience, time will take its toll. Memories will fade. But through Christ, we can draw near to the very throne of grace with confidence. We have intimate fellowship with our Abba Father. He will never forget our name. He knows every hair on our head. He knows us completely and loves us still. He will fellowship with us for all eternity. Our awe of God will never fade. The moment will never end. We, along with all those who have trusted in Jesus, Jews and Gentiles, have already been granted the only access that matters.

Reflection

1.    How do you respond to the access you have graciously been granted to the Father through Christ by the Holy Spirit? Do you take it for granted? Do you make use of it to only present your wish list? Or do you delight in the fellowship with your heavenly Father?

2.    Is there a hurtful relationship with another believer where peace seems impossible? How does your peace with God give you hope in your hurt?

3.    Hebrews 4:16 tells us that we can confidently draw near to the throne of grace.  We cherish this for ourselves, but how often do you think of others in the family of God who have hurt or sinned against you as having that same access granted to them? If they may also find mercy and grace in their time of need, how does that change how you respond to them?

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 2:11–22.

[2] John F. MacArthur Jr., Ephesians, MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1986), 80.

[3] Note that Paul again stresses our unity in Christ by use of both and one.