July 8, 2020
Ephesians 2:13-18
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
New International Version (NIV)
We sing old songs to our new babies.  “I’ve got peace like a river.”  Rivers can be so peaceful, especially when the world around is so turbulent.  Where is the river to bring peace to our conflicted world?  Political, racial and social conflicts threaten to undo the very fabric of our society.

Paul had seen the conflict between Jews and Gentiles firsthand.  An accusation of bringing a gentile into the Temple courts landed Paul in jail.  Some of the hard-line Judaizers could not forgive Paul for offering salvation apart from the law to Gentiles.  Jewish men reportedly prayed each day, “Thank God that I am not a Gentile.”  They called them dogs.  The antipathy was mutual.  What was the answer to this painful conflict and hatred?

Enter Christ!  He himself is our peace.  Jesus took Jews and Gentiles and made them one.  His purpose was to create one new humanity.  His cross put hostility to death.  The Spirit gives both Jew and Gentile access to the Father.  Together we rise as a holy Temple in which God lives by his Spirit.

John Perkins, the Baptist statesman in Jackson put it well:  “I’m an old man and this is one of my dreams:  that my descendants will one day live in a land where people are quick to confess their wrongdoing and forgive the wrongdoing of others and are eager to build something beautiful together.”  May this dream come true in us.

Consider carefully:  with whom are you in conflict?  Think about those whom you really want to straighten out?  Who is just about to get a piece of your mind?  Consider closely:  Christ will bring peace to our minds and hearts if we will receive it.  The river which brings peace is the river of blood flowing from his wounded side.  If Christ’s death is not enough to overcome our hostility, nothing else ever will be enough.  His death and resurrection are enough!
Pray with me:         
Father, we thank you for the price Christ paid for our peace.  Help us today to so love your peace that we make peace with others.  Do not let us live in endless hostility with others.  Let your sacrifice be enough for us.  Let us reveal that we are your children by loving our enemies today.  We pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.    
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 6:9-11
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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