Jesus Tears Down Walls and Makes Peace

Scripture Focus: Ephesians 2:13-18

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ... His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” (NIV)

Devotional Thought

Walls make us feel safe — but they always come at the cost of relationship.

Interpretation

Paul describes Jesus as “our peace.” Ephesians 2:13-18 celebrates how Jesus’ blood draws both Jews and Gentiles — who were once far off and separated — near to God, abolishing the dividing wall of hostility that kept them apart. Through his cross, Christ tears down this barrier, symbolized by the old covenant’s commandments and ordinances, creating in himself one new humanity where ethnic and religious enmity is put to death. He proclaims peace to those nearby and far away, reconciling both groups to God in one body through the Spirit, forming a unified community of faith accessible to all who respond in trust.

Definition

A New Community of Peace: Through His cross, Jesus removes the barriers—relational, social, and spiritual — that divide people, forming a united family in Him.

Contemporary Relevance

Salvation calls you into a reconciled community where old hostilities must die. The cross leaves no room for the walls we build.

Quote of the Day

“I would unite with anybody to do right and with nobody to do wrong.” — Frederick Douglass

Reflection Question

Is there a wall in your life — relational, racial, political — that Jesus is calling you to lay down?

Prayer Prompt

Ask the Spirit to make you an agent of peace in Christ’s reconciling community.

• Copyright 2026 by Steven Chapman. Used by permission.