“And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” Ephesians 2:17-18 ESV
Reflection: if you want to get to safety, is it better to be near or far off?
As we are approaching winter in the northern hemisphere, we need a reminder of the dangers of winter storms. Because, every winter we seem to read stories of people who have died after being stranded in a winter storm. Got stuck in the car, or took a wrong turn skiing or hiking. Some times, rescue workers find their dead bodies miles away from help without a chance to get to safety, while other times they have gotten very close before giving up. For their loved ones, it must be heartbreaking to find out that they were so close, but didn’t make it. If only a few more steps, in the right direction. In principle, I assume we all agree that we would prefer to be close to safety when trapped by a storm, than far away. The odds are naturally much better. But if you still cannot get to safety, the result is sadly the same. The weather doesn’t care if you are near or far off. The only thing that matters in the end, is not how near or far we are, but whether or not we get to safety.
There is a principle in Ephesians 2 that Paul is discussing, which seems to have some controversy among many Christians. And, the principle is actually very simple. As Peter spoke to his fellow countrymen, he explained that “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”” Acts 4:12 ESV. Jesus himself said “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 ESV. What we learn here is that it doesn’t really matter how close we get, if we don’t go through Jesus, through the only door, the only gate, the only way to the Father. It really is that simple.
And, in a more lengthy, but wonderful explanation, Paul says, “Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” Ephesians 2:11-18 ESV
Notice here the key is that salvation, or access to safety, rests exclusively on Jesus, as it is only through him. There is no difference in being near or far away. Christ Jesus is the only way. Paul goes on saying “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 ESV. For those who have received Christ, have been born again and received the Spirit of God, exist as one house, one family of God, through Jesus Christ who is the head. For anyone denying Christ, are also denying the Father, have no part of the family of God.
I was very privileged growing up in a Christian household, and was taught from my childhood the gospel of Christ. But, although I was in a way “nearer” than many others, I still needed to enter safety, receive salvation for myself, through Christ. Let us all not only get near, but enter in through Christ.
