We are enjoying a bit of Lenten quiet on Mondays here until Easter. I’m posting a verse, a devotion and a prayer. Peace and grace, friends…
But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. (Ephesians 2:13-4)
Some of you may remember the day the Berlin Wall was torn down in November 1989. Constant news coverage depicted thousands of people with sledgehammers and axes as they crumbled the wall bit by bit, destroying a barrier that had stood between East and West Germany for nearly 30 years. It was a monumental occasion and a cause for celebration, not only in Germany but around the entire world. In place of the wall, a symbol of hostility and war, stood a group of disparate people now united in freedom.
The amazing, mind-boggling, awesome power of Christ has the capacity to do something similar among us, his people. It’s true, Christ’s death on the cross brought us closer to God as individuals, demolishing the barrier (sin) that kept us at arm’s length from him. But even more important and powerful is the freedom his love and life give us as a people united in the Body of Christ.
Christ didn’t unite just the Jews and Gentiles, he unites all of us, every last person on Earth. We are called by him to love his people, and no one is excluded, regardless of race, lifestyle or faith. There are no barriers, no separation – Christ’s love demolishes all hostilities and all walls.
So today, let’s celebrate the power of God’s love to free us and unite us together in peace. Let’s celebrate the God who makes all things possible.
Lord, you know where and against whom my hostilities are aimed. Give me the strength and humility to cross these barriers to unite with your people in peace. Amen.
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Love this photo and devotional thought! Hope you are enjoying your Lenten respite.
Hi Michelle! My head is wrapped up in forgiveness lately. So this prayer.. “Lord, you know where and against whom my hostilities are aimed. Give me the strength and humility to cross these barriers to unite with your people in peace. Amen.” – is so good. Always forgiveness, Always peace. Amen. Enjoy the quiet moments you find this week.
Thank you, Lisha – praying quiet moments for you, too!
Blessings, Michelle – so glad to be reconnecting with you and linking up again. Always blessed to do my devotionals with kindred sisters in Christ walking the walk together. God reveals so many truths about His character, purposes and ways through our stories. So blessed to share – and take joy in the sharing of others.
Blessings!
Kathy
Such a marvelous reminder that Christ loves everyone and we should not put a wall back up where He has taken it down.
Blessings!
Yes, we are called to unity in the Body of Christ. I am reminded of that phrase, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” As I ponder that, it occurs to me that our unity across cultures, languages, races, and any other earthly thing that might cause division, is a huge testimony of faith. What else could account for such unity other than the resounding and unifying power of a Savior?!
May I strive to be a wall-breaker – and not waste my time on adding bricks.
GOD BLESS!
Thank you for these quiet thoughts today. Thanks too for hosting.
Michelle,
Yes…It is in Christ’s forgiveness of our sins, and our unity is a result of what He did for us …yes, peace with all in Him…may you experience His peace today 🙂
You, too, Dolly – and thank you.
Unity was so dear to Jesus’ heart for us. *Is* so dear. I need to do more in my own heart to make room for it. Thanks for this reminder, Michelle.