Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace."
Text: Ephesians 2:15
PAX ROMANA
The Romans were masters of the world in the day of the apostle Paul. They sought to impose an iron peace in their empire that spanned the whole of Europe and beyond. Their famous Pax Romana (“peace of Rome”) was imposed upon all rebels with savage power. Rebellions were quelled at the cost of thousands of lives. The peace that Rome brought was at best filled with tension and anxiety. There was no guarantee that the peace would not be overturned the very next day.
AN UNEASY SENSE OF PEACE
Paul was not unaware of the many things that caused people to remain divided. There was seeming peace in the land of Israel in the first century, but beneath that veneer of pace, there was deep unrest. The following things may be highlighted:-
1. Resentment against the Romans
The Jews resented the presence of the Romans as their overlords. At best they tolerated their powerful presence. But there were groups of people called zealots, who would not hesitate to use their knives to kill soldiers who laid down their guard. (These killers were called “sicarii”- the name of the short knives they carried hidden under their robes).
2. At odds with all idolatrous Gentiles
The Jews in the first century were more religious than secular. They took their faith seriously, and were thus incensed whenever they came across idols. The Romans and people of other ethnic orientation were largely idolaters. The Jews could not come up with a solution to resolve this problem.
MAKING PEACE
Paul used a most appropriate phrase when he described the peace that was now available in Christ. The phrase was “thus making peace” (Ephesians 2:15). This phrase is to be studied and appreciated with another corresponding statement made, “He Himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). When combined together, they make a powerful statement.
1. The hope of peace
This hope is in everyone’s heart. But no one can fulfil this longing for true peace.
2. The promise of peace
The message of the choir of angels that sang the night Christ was born was one of peace.
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
LUKE 2:14
3. The provision of peace
How would this peace come about? Paul argued that it took none other than the Lord Jesus Himself to “make peace”. It would take nothing less than His death on the cross to bring about this elusive peace. Only Christ Jesus Himself, the Prince of Peace, could offer true peace between Jew and Gentile.