Ephesians 2:11-22
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God. – Ephesians 2:19
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In Numbers 22–24, we see a very striking scene. Balaam, a Gentile prophet, was hired to curse Israel, but under God’s sovereign hand, he ended up blessing them instead. Israel and the Gentiles were originally separate and even opposed to one another. Israel was God’s covenant people, while the Gentiles stood outside that covenant. There was a clear line between them—one that separated those who belonged to God from those who did not.
But this way of drawing lines did not remain in the Old Testament. In our fallen nature, we continue to build all kinds of boundaries and walls. We separate people based on background, culture, language, education, and even spiritual maturity.
In church, we may quietly divide people into “our group” and “their group.” At work, we keep our distance from those who are different from us. In our families, when relationships break down, we often choose to avoid rather than take the first step towards reconciliation.
Into this reality, Ephesians 2:13 speaks a powerful and life-changing truth, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
This is not just about an improvement in our relationship with God. It is a complete change of identity. We move from being outsiders to becoming family.
Why is this possible? Because on the cross, Jesus Christ did not only deal with our sin before God—He also removed the hostility between people. As Ephesians 2:14 tells us, Christ has broken down the dividing wall between us and brought together those who were once opposed, making peace. He did not save us just as individuals; He brought us into one body.
Because of this, Paul says, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19)
This means that in Christ, there are no outsiders. We all belong to the same family, with the same heavenly Father.
And yet, even today, there are many who are hurting within the church. Maybe you have been misunderstood, hurt by someone’s words, or experienced tension because of differences. Often, our natural response is to withdraw and bury the hurt. We still show up at church, still attend gatherings, but deep down, the relationship remains broken.
But the gospel offers us a real path towards healing. Through the cross, Jesus bore our sin and reconciled us to God, and in doing so, He also opened the way for reconciliation with one another. In other words, healing in relationships does not begin with our effort, but with the peace Christ has already accomplished.
So when you next face that difficult relationship, you can choose a different response. Instead of withdrawing or staying guarded, you can begin to move closer, taking small steps to listen, to understand, and even to pray together.
And when you do that, you are not just trying to be a “better person.” You are allowing the gospel to take real effect in your life.
This is the great shift from Numbers to Ephesians: from two clearly separated groups to one family in Christ. God’s salvation is not only about bringing individuals to heaven, but it is about forming a new community here on earth, a people who live out reconciliation, acceptance, and unity.
Reflection:
In your relationships, are there still barriers or things that hinder unity? Are you willing to bring that relationship before Jesus Christ and let Him tear down that wall?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are our peace. Thank You for giving Your life to remove the barrier between God and us, and also the walls between us and others. Please shine Your light on the relationships in my life that are still broken. Give me humility and courage to take the first step, and to live out the reconciliation You have already accomplished. Build Your church into a community that truly loves one another and lives in unity, so that others may see and know that You are Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Click to read passage
In Numbers 22–24, we see a very striking scene. Balaam, a Gentile prophet, was hired to curse Israel, but under God’s sovereign hand, he ended up blessing them instead. Israel and the Gentiles were originally separate and even opposed to one another. Israel was God’s covenant people, while the Gentiles stood outside that covenant. There was a clear line between them—one that separated those who belonged to God from those who did not.
But this way of drawing lines did not remain in the Old Testament. In our fallen nature, we continue to build all kinds of boundaries and walls. We separate people based on background, culture, language, education, and even spiritual maturity.
In church, we may quietly divide people into “our group” and “their group.” At work, we keep our distance from those who are different from us. In our families, when relationships break down, we often choose to avoid rather than take the first step towards reconciliation.
Into this reality, Ephesians 2:13 speaks a powerful and life-changing truth, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”
This is not just about an improvement in our relationship with God. It is a complete change of identity. We move from being outsiders to becoming family.
Why is this possible? Because on the cross, Jesus Christ did not only deal with our sin before God—He also removed the hostility between people. As Ephesians 2:14 tells us, Christ has broken down the dividing wall between us and brought together those who were once opposed, making peace. He did not save us just as individuals; He brought us into one body.
Because of this, Paul says, “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.” (Ephesians 2:19)
This means that in Christ, there are no outsiders. We all belong to the same family, with the same heavenly Father.
And yet, even today, there are many who are hurting within the church. Maybe you have been misunderstood, hurt by someone’s words, or experienced tension because of differences. Often, our natural response is to withdraw and bury the hurt. We still show up at church, still attend gatherings, but deep down, the relationship remains broken.
But the gospel offers us a real path towards healing. Through the cross, Jesus bore our sin and reconciled us to God, and in doing so, He also opened the way for reconciliation with one another. In other words, healing in relationships does not begin with our effort, but with the peace Christ has already accomplished.
So when you next face that difficult relationship, you can choose a different response. Instead of withdrawing or staying guarded, you can begin to move closer, taking small steps to listen, to understand, and even to pray together.
And when you do that, you are not just trying to be a “better person.” You are allowing the gospel to take real effect in your life.
This is the great shift from Numbers to Ephesians: from two clearly separated groups to one family in Christ. God’s salvation is not only about bringing individuals to heaven, but it is about forming a new community here on earth, a people who live out reconciliation, acceptance, and unity.
Reflection:
In your relationships, are there still barriers or things that hinder unity? Are you willing to bring that relationship before Jesus Christ and let Him tear down that wall?
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are our peace. Thank You for giving Your life to remove the barrier between God and us, and also the walls between us and others. Please shine Your light on the relationships in my life that are still broken. Give me humility and courage to take the first step, and to live out the reconciliation You have already accomplished. Build Your church into a community that truly loves one another and lives in unity, so that others may see and know that You are Lord. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.