Let the Walls Come Down

“For He Himself is our peace,

who made both groups one,

and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.”

Ephesians 2:15

          There’s an old saying, “Good fences make good neighbors.”  The theory behind that is that walls mark boundaries, which offer protection and security.  You know where you stand.  There is no confusion about who is in and who is out so conflicts are diminished.

While fences can limit fighting they can also reduce fellowship.  That’s what happened in the country of Jesus’ birth.  A wall was built between the children of Abraham and nearly everyone else.  This wall was not built with brick and stone, but was constructed with an intricate set of rigid religious rules and cultural expectations.  It allowed “birds of a feather to flock together”, but effectively held them in a cage into which no other type of bird could enter.

This strict separation led to misunderstanding and often mistrust of others who were seen as strangers. Bridging the gap and bringing strangers together requires a special kind of leader.  The Apostle Paul saw Jesus as being that kind of mediator.  He wrote, “He is our peace and has broken down the dividing wall.”

So, those who claim his name must also be in the business of breaking down the dividing walls of hostility and helping to bring about peace.  This requires understanding of those who might be different, and that understanding may demand a little courage and some effort.  Whenever you extend your hand there is a danger that someone may cut it off.  But, Jesus took that risk and so should we for that is how we really become the people of God.

Prince of Peace, we turn to you when we find ourselves in disagreement and even conflict.  Break down the dividing walls we pray so that we may fulfill your prayer – that we may be one.  Amen.