A Thought For The Week Of April 2

"For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility ..." (Ephesians 2:14) Paul is speaking here specifically about the separation between Jews and Gentiles, but it seems to me that the principle applies wherever we see barriers erected between any people. Jesus came to tear down walls, but we rather like walls. They come in handy. They help ensure that we don't have to deal with people who are different or who make us uncomfortable. In The Message, Eugene Peterson gets it: "He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance." We use the walls of division; Jesus breaks them down and forms a community of all people who truly love God and love their neighbours, regardless of their differences. May we be part of such a community. May we break down some walls between people. May we break down some walls in our own lives. Have a great week!