With Us // God Made Flesh

Life hasn’t exactly turned out like I would have expected it to.  But in all the grief and loss I have experienced the last few years, there is one truth about God’s character that seems to jump off the pages of the Bible repeatedly to me, without me even trying to find it – God’s nearness.  From Genesis to Revelation, the theme of God being with his people is woven throughout.  This aspect of God’s character has given me comfort, changed my perspective on my circumstances, and drawn me to him in ways I have never imagined. Because I can’t help but find these nuggets of “God with us” all throughout His Word, I thought I’d share some of those with you, here, in the form of short, regular devotionals.  Start off your week with the assurance that God is with you – and see how that changes things, no matter what you’re going through or where you are in life.  Ask God, “Meet me here” – after all, that’s the very thing he's asking you. 

Ephesians 2:12-18

¹² Remember that you were at [one] timeseparated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel andstrangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Godin the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you whoonce were far off have been brought near by the blood ofChrist. ¹⁴ For he himself is ourpeace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh thedividing wall of hostility ¹⁵ by abolishing the lawof commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himselfone new man in place of the two, so making peace, ¹⁶ andmight reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, therebykilling the hostility. ¹⁷ And he cameand preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those whowere near. ¹⁸ For through him we bothhave access in one Spirit to the Father.

Context

Paul, the writerof the book of Ephesians, is writing to Gentiles here.  Gentiles were non-Jews; in other words,before Christ, they were not part of the family of God.  Because of Jesus, all nations have access toGod – by grace, through faith, because of the work of Jesus on the cross.  This passage, though a little confusing atfirst glance, describes reconciliation, “the restoration of friendlyrelations.”  This reconciliation happensnot only for our relationship with God, but also for our relationship withothers. A broken relationship restored… separated parties brought together.  This is the heart of God with us.

Questions to Consider

1. Inverse 12, Paul reminds the Ephesians that they were at one time separated fromChrist.  What does he say was true ofthem, and each of us, when we were separated?
2. Webegin to see contrasts to that separation in verse 13 through the rest of thispassage.  What exactly did Jesus changeabout who we were in relation to God? What does he allow us to now experience, because of his death on thecross – both in our relationship with God, and with others?
3. Verse18 says that we now have access to the Father. Knowing the realities of verse 12, what does this passage mean to youwhen you consider God’s heart to be with us? What has happened between God and us, those who were once without him?

Lord, it amazes me to see that your heartis for nearness.  You desire for us to bewith you in relationship and you desire for us to be with others inrelationship as well.  You do not leaveus in our separation, but your Son makes it possible this dividing wall to betorn down. We can be reconciled to you! And we are – by grace, throughfaith.  We praise you that you have madea way where there was no way.  You havedrawn near to us, and allowed us to, once more, be in your presence. Thank youfor Jesus’ death on the cross.  Thank youfor forgiving us of our sin.  Help us,Lord, to walk closely with you.

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Find all of the devotionals, including the introductory explanation post, here.