WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
An international Sunday school lesson
commentary
For Sunday December 9, 2012
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JEWS AND GENTILES ARE ONE IN JESUS CHRIST
(Oneness and peace in CHRIST)
(Ephesians 2:11-22)
In Ephesians 2, taking up at verse 12,
the Apostle Paul talks about the state of the Gentile before CHRIST. Here Paul
states five disadvantages of the pre-CHRIST Gentile and he doesn’t include
“circumcision” in his list. Paul never considered circumcision to be a
necessary act (Acts 15) for Gentiles to partake in, in order to become a
follower of CHRIST JESUS. At least one of the items on this list are also shared
by the Jewish believers. On Paul’s list of reminders to the Gentiles we find
that before CHRIST:
·
* Gentiles, like Jews were living apart
from HIM.
· * Gentiles were excluded from GOD’s
people, Israel.
·
* Gentiles did not share in the
promises of GOD.
·
* Gentiles lived without knowledge of
GOD’s Will.
·
* Gentiles were without hope.
GOD, through HIS wisdom, determined that HE would form HIS new Church out
of flawed material (mankind), because HE loved us even as we were
still sinners, deeply embedded in our own transgressions. HE began this process
by recreating us, in and through, HIS SON, JESUS, and as a result, HE
effectively closed the spiritual gap between the Jews and the Gentiles.
Before JESUS’ vicarious sacrifice on the cross redeemed all mankind in
general and all Christians in particular, the Jews had enjoyed a special
covenant relationship with GOD that the Gentiles were not privy to. JESUS came
to usher in a “New Covenant” from GOD. It is a covenant that is far superior to
any, before, or since that time. It is the duty of the Christian (Jews and
Gentiles) to build his or her foundation on that “Most High Faith”
(Christianity), learning to pray in the power of the HOLY SPIRIT, and never
again forgetting the conditions of that covenant, under which the love of GOD
has called us. And then, finally, we must all still wait on mercy from JESUS
CHRIST unto eternal life.
By bringing Jews and Gentiles together through the cross, JESUS
effectively settled the longstanding feud between the only two races that ever
mattered. Now, both Jews and Gentiles are fellow citizens and members of GOD’s
divine household and holy temple (the Christian Church). JESUS HIMSELF has made
us all one people under GOD (V.14).
In verses 15-18 we see that CHRIST, the PEACEMAKER and Jew, died for the
Gentile, and by doing so, HE removed the barrier that is Jewish Law, a barrier
to both races of people that was mistakenly viewed as the way to GOD, by the
Jews. HE opened up the way for both to be joined together as “one new man” in
the body of CHRIST. Christianity serves as peace to anyone who wishes to become
a living part of it. In it we can find peace with GOD, and, peace among each
other.
The thought of being “built together for GOD’s dwelling” (v.22) is a
wonderful one, and even though every believer is “saved” individually, each
person also immediately becomes a part of a greater body in CHRIST JESUS, WHO
is the Church. Together, Christians (Jews and Gentiles) are the people whom GOD
indwells with HIS HOLY SPIRIT. Through us, HE is able to display HIS glory, and
thereby, we possess the divine opportunity to show the whole world that
Christianity really does produce the best men and women.
In the Christian Church, JESUS makes a place for all mankind to enter
into the family of GOD. And the Church can only realize its unity when it
understands fully that it cannot exist apart from CHRIST JESUS. It has to
provide a home for the SPIRIT of CHRIST to dwell in, and an opportunity for
every man, woman, and child to meet, in that SPIRIT.
A Sunday school lesson by,
Larry D. Alexander
larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com
LARRY D. ALEXANDER-
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