For he himself (Jesus) 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. Eph. 2:14-18 (NIV)
Dear Lord Jesus, we worship you for making peace between God and us. Through your finished work, we haven’t merely been reconciled to God, but have also become objects of his affection and children of his delight—a people upon whom Abba’s favor rests, and for whom heaven is prepared.
And we praise you, Jesus, for tearing down the wall of hatred between Gentiles and Jews—and other people groups as well. Only you can replace hostility with hospitality, racism with reconciliation, and make enemies into friends. Only you can turn enmity into empathy, combativeness into compassion, and loathing into loving.
Indeed, in you, Jesus, differences are no longer barriers that exclude, but bridges that unite. Diversity becomes a bouquet of beauty when the gospel is in play. Thankfully, nothing is impossible for you, Jesus.
As we enter this October 2018 Monday, we are desperate for your enmity-destroying, heart-gentling peacemaking among us, Jesus. High dividing walls (with barbed wire on top and shards of glass) are being built between friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
The issues are real. We see things differently—politically, spiritually, culturally, environmentally (to name a few). We have different stories, real traumas, and are easily triggered. Help us, Jesus. May we, your people, engage with mercy and grace. May we be salt and light in an hour of rage and darkness. It’s not about winning, but loving. Help us, Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your merciful and mighty name.
