He Has Broken Down the Dividing Wall

In Ephesians 2:11–22, the Apostle Paul makes a powerful claim: through the cross of Christ, all the divisions between insiders and outsiders have been reconciled.

He writes in verse 14:  “For Christ is our peace; in his flesh… he has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us.”

Paul writes in the past tense. In other words, this is a done deal. The wall is broken down.

So if God has already done this, why doesn’t it appear that way? What does that mean for us today?

The late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall once told a story about two brothers who lived on neighboring farms. They fell into conflict. One day, a young carpenter came by and the older brother said:

“See that farm across the creek? That’s my younger brother. He recently took a bulldozer and dug a small river between us. I want you to build an 8-foot fence so I never have to see his face again.”

The carpenter said, “Show me the tools and I’ll do a good job.”

The older brother left for the day. When he returned at sunset, he was stunned. There was no fence. Instead, the carpenter had built a bridge over the creek. And much to his surprise, his younger brother was walking across it, arms outstretched.

They embraced. Tears were shed.

As they turned to thank the carpenter, he was leaving. “Stay a few days! I have more work for you,” they said. But he replied, “I have more bridges yet to build.”

Marshall concluded:  “The legal system can force open doors, and sometimes even knock down walls. But it cannot build bridges. That job belongs to you and me.”

Let us pray:  Loving God, we remember that Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” In a time of so much anger and polarization, help us to build bridges. Empower us to be instruments of your love; through Christ our Lord. Amen.