WELCOME HOME

 

August 24, 2023

Ephesians 2

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— 12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

 

WELCOME HOME

The whole world is dealing with the issue of refugees and migrants, people displaced from their homes due to war, internal conflict, economic hardship, political persecution, violence, climate change, and a host of other problems. When refugees realize they cannot return home again, they long to find a new community where they can belong, rebuild their lives, and begin anew, becoming new citizens in a new nation.

Paul uses the image of a refugee to illustrate how our status changes when we come into a relationship with Jesus. We were outsiders, excluded from citizenship with God’s Chosen People. Ephesians 2:11-13 says Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth . . . were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.” The passage goes on to say “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” The outcome of what Jesus did by his death on the cross, was that he destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,” (Ephesians 2:14) so that we can enjoy a relationship with God the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18).

Good News!! The wall between us and God has crumbled!

We then become members of God’s family, citizens in the Kingdom of God. Ephesians 2:19, states that we become “fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” We then, are no longer strangers, wandering from place to place, looking for safety and acceptance and love. We are welcomed home! Accepted as a citizen and member of the community that welcomes others searching for safety, acceptance, and love (Ephesians 2:22).

The Good News doesn’t end with this, however. We not only experience the wonderful words of welcome, that say, “You have arrived! You belong! You are loved! Welcome Home!” We in turn come to be proclaimers to other wanderers, refugees, and displaced people, who long to hear the words: "You have arrived! You belong! You are loved! Welcome Home!"