Best News Ever!

Ephesians 2:16-18 (MSG)
¹⁶  Christ brought us together through his death on the Cross. The Cross got us to embrace, and that was the end of the hostility.
¹⁷  Christ came and preached peace to you outsiders and peace to us insiders.
¹⁸  He treated us as equals, and so made us equals. Through him we both share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father. 

One of the most difficult things to do is love those who are so different from us. The race issue is one thing, but what about the economic divide? How many times have we avoided someone because the main difference between us was the neighborhood where we lived. The phrase 'from the wrong side of the tracks' is a real thing. We often fear people who live in certain neighborhoods.

I wonder how Jesus would deal with this? Would he be afraid to walk down some streets? Would he avoid some neighborhoods where the people were poor?  Or sick? What do you think? Verse 18 says He treated us as equals, and so made us equals.

There are many barriers that can divide us from other Christians: age, appearance, intelligence, political persuasion, economic status, race, theological perspective. One of the best ways to stifle Christ's love is to be friendly with only those people that we like. Fortunately, Christ has knocked down the barriers and has unified all believers in one family. His cross should be the focus of our unity. The Holy Spirit helps us look beyond the barriers to the unity we are called to enjoy.

                                                                                                               ---Life Application Study Bible

The Jews were near to God and they knew Him and studied scriptures. The Gentiles were far from God, they knew little or nothing about Him. But, neither group could be saved on their own, they could not be saved by their good deeds or knowledge. They both needed to hear about the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ. They are/were united in that fact.

The same is true today. We all need the salvation of Jesus. None can achieve eternal life on out own, we are alike and united in this truth. And the best news ever is that Jesus came of all of us!

Ephesians 2:14-21