“But now in Christ Jesus you, who sometimes were far off, are made nigh by the Blood of Christ—for He is our peace, Who has made both one and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us.”
Ephesians 2:13-14
How wonderful is His Ministry of Redemption and Reconciliation.
“Brought near and broken down.”
Those are the two main emphases in today’s Manna concerning Christ’s work in a believer’s life. Prior to His “quickening us from our trespasses and sins” (v.1), we were “walking dead men who thought and acted like the world, following the counsel of the prince of the power of the air and fulfilling the lusts/desires of the flesh as rebellious, carnal, children of wrath” (vv.1-3).
But, thankfully, the Lord didn’t leave us in that condition.
Instead, “God, Who is rich in Mercy and great Love, quickened (Grk. ‘suzoopoieo’—‘to reanimate, revitalize, make alive, give life to, etc.’) us together with Christ and also raised us up together with Him, making us to sit together with Him in Heavenly places” (vv.5-6). Hallelujah!!
Prior to that, we were always “on the outside looking in.”
A person “without Christ” knows “about” God, but doesn’t know God. They know how they “ought” to live, but are powerless to live that way. Like a stranger passing through town, they know God’s somewhere around, but haven’t a clue as to how to find Him.
That’s why we must be “made nigh by the Blood of Christ.” Only His Blood can make us “acceptable” (Eph. 1:6) as He removes our “filthy rags of self-righteousness” (Is. 64:6) and clothes us in the pure white “Robe of His Righteousness.”
Think of it, Pilgrim:
Prior to Christ’s coming into your heart, you were like an orphaned, abandoned street urchin, pilfering through trash cans looking for food or standing on the street corner with outstretched hand, begging money from passersby.
But, one day a Gentle Stranger passed by. . .stopped. . .looked into your eyes. . .and said, “Why don’t you come live with Me?” At first, you were taken aback by His overtures and suspicious of His motives; yet, He lovingly persisted and finally won your confidence and you went with Him.
And, as you were “brought nigh” to that beautiful Mansion and met all who lived there, your fears vanished and your eyes filled with tears. No longer were you a “nobody”—an “alien” and “stranger, having no hope” (v.12). A thousand times no! Instead, you were the adopted child of the wealthiest One Who ever lived and He said “Whatever is Mine is yours.”
Does that sound too good to be true, Pilgrim? Such is always the nature of Grace. May we spend today in perpetual praise and thanksgiving as we realize how Christ has “brought us nigh” and “broken down” everything that separates us from the Father and each other.
By Tom Smith Morning Manna Dated November 10, 2009
