Daily Devotions
Ephesians
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ."
Text: Ephesians 2:13
“IN CHRIST JESUS”
One again, we read the ubiquitous phrase “In Christ Jesus”. How would “the Gentiles in the flesh” ever overcome their spiritual difficulties? To Paul, this single phrase, provided the answer and more. (It would be an interesting exercise to count just how many times the apostle Paul mentioned either the name of Christ or used the phrase “in Christ” in the entire epistle. In Ephesians 1-2 alone, Paul employed the name of Christ more than 30 times).
“YOU WHO WERE ONCE FAR OFF”
This was an apt description of the status of the Gentiles. They were very “far off” (“makran”) from God. Not only were they estranged from the “Circumcision in the flesh” they were very far from the Presence of God. The results of their sinful inclinations and deed brought about this terrible spiritual plight. Only in Christ Jesus was there hope that they could ever be reconciled to God.
“HAVE BEEN BROUGHT NEAR”
We are once again given another aspect of the salvation in Christ Jesus. Every believer in Christ Jesus is “brought near” to God. The benefits of Salvation- deliverance from wrath, from sin, from the clutches of Satan are not the only things we should be thankful for. Salvation in Christ Jesus allows us to be brought near to God.
“BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST”
What was the cost of this salvation in Christ Jesus? Paul make it very clear that the cost of God’s plan of salvation was very high indeed. It would cost “the blood of Christ” to make our redemption possible at all.
What is the significance of the phrase “by the blood of Christ”? Let us consider the following thoughts:-
1. Old Testament teaching on “blood”
The following text from the Book of Leviticus is significant.
“For it is the life of all flesh.
Its blood sustains its life.”
LEVITICUS 17:14
2. Atonement through the shedding of blood
We have another vital text from the Book of Leviticus.
“For the life of the flesh is in the blood,
and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement
for your souls; for it is the blood that makes
atonement for the soul.”
LEVITICUS 17:11
3. The Atoning blood of Christ
Nothing less than the life-blood of Jesus could ever make atonement for the souls of mankind. No one less than the Lord Jesus Christ would do. The significance of Christ’s atoning blood stands out to Paul. Through the Lord Jesus’ death, all who were afar off were now brought near to God.