The Daily Devotional
Friday, December 22, 2023
Friday, December 22, 2023
Bridging Divides: Embracing Unity in Christ
…[Jesus] broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.
Ephesians 2:14 (NLT)
Reflection
Since its construction by East Germany in 1961, the Berlin Wall served as a formidable barrier, severing connections and hindering East Germans from fleeing to the West, with over 2.5 million having fled by its erection. The wall's existence was challenged in 1987 when US President Ronald Reagan emphatically called for its destruction, a sentiment that resonated with the masses yearning for change. This call was realized in 1989 when the wall was finally dismantled, symbolizing Germany's joyous reunification.
For nearly three decades, the Berlin Wall was a vivid representation of division, isolating loved ones and embodying the ideological conflicts that divide societies. However, its fall in 1989 marked not just the physical demolition of concrete but also the metaphorical tearing down of divisions among people. This historic collapse mirrored the profound message of Ephesians 2:14, underscoring that no division is too formidable when faced with the forces of unity and reconciliation.
In Ephesians 2:14, Paul describes how Jesus demolished the "wall of hostility," a metaphorical barrier symbolized by the soreg in Herod's temple that once segregated Jews and Gentiles. By His crucifixion, Jesus dissolved this divide, fostering peace and reconciliation among all people and uniting them through faith in Christ. This verse serves as a potent reminder of Christ's transformative love and sacrifice, echoing the historical dismantling of the Berlin Wall, which once stood as a physical emblem of division and conflict, demonstrating the profound impact of breaking down barriers and uniting in peace.
Breaking Down Our Walls
Just as the Berlin Wall divided a nation, we too build walls in our hearts—walls of prejudice, anger, and pride. These barriers create hostility and prevent us from experiencing the fullness of community and love God desires for us. Christ's sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of tearing down these walls, offering us a path to peace and reconciliation with God and one another.
Embracing Peace and Unity
Christ's death was not just about the removal of hostility; it was about the creation of something new—a single, united humanity. Just as East and West Berliners came together, we are called to come together as one in Christ, despite our differences. This unity is not about erasing our distinctiveness but celebrating our diversity within the body of Christ.
Living Out Reconciliation
How, then, do we live out this divine reconciliation? It begins with recognizing the walls we've built in our hearts and asking God to help us tear them down. It involves reaching out across divides, offering forgiveness, and seeking understanding. As we embody Christ's love, we become agents of peace in a world often defined by division.
Conclusion
In contemporary times, various factors may divide us. By relying on God's provision, we should endeavor to embody the peace and unity that Jesus exemplifies.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, just as Christ broke down the walls of hostility that separated us, help us to tear down the barriers in our own hearts. Teach us to walk in unity and love, reflecting Your reconciling love to a divided world. May we remember the lesson of the Berlin Wall—not as a symbol of separation but as a reminder of the joy and peace that come when barriers fall. In Jesus' name, Amen.
----------------------------
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM
The Bible texts are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Click open to read…
Since its construction by East Germany in 1961, the Berlin Wall served as a formidable barrier, severing connections and hindering East Germans from fleeing to the West, with over 2.5 million having fled by its erection. The wall's existence was challenged in 1987 when US President Ronald Reagan emphatically called for its destruction, a sentiment that resonated with the masses yearning for change. This call was realized in 1989 when the wall was finally dismantled, symbolizing Germany's joyous reunification.
For nearly three decades, the Berlin Wall was a vivid representation of division, isolating loved ones and embodying the ideological conflicts that divide societies. However, its fall in 1989 marked not just the physical demolition of concrete but also the metaphorical tearing down of divisions among people. This historic collapse mirrored the profound message of Ephesians 2:14, underscoring that no division is too formidable when faced with the forces of unity and reconciliation.
In Ephesians 2:14, Paul describes how Jesus demolished the "wall of hostility," a metaphorical barrier symbolized by the soreg in Herod's temple that once segregated Jews and Gentiles. By His crucifixion, Jesus dissolved this divide, fostering peace and reconciliation among all people and uniting them through faith in Christ. This verse serves as a potent reminder of Christ's transformative love and sacrifice, echoing the historical dismantling of the Berlin Wall, which once stood as a physical emblem of division and conflict, demonstrating the profound impact of breaking down barriers and uniting in peace.
Breaking Down Our Walls
Just as the Berlin Wall divided a nation, we too build walls in our hearts—walls of prejudice, anger, and pride. These barriers create hostility and prevent us from experiencing the fullness of community and love God desires for us. Christ's sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate act of tearing down these walls, offering us a path to peace and reconciliation with God and one another.
Embracing Peace and Unity
Christ's death was not just about the removal of hostility; it was about the creation of something new—a single, united humanity. Just as East and West Berliners came together, we are called to come together as one in Christ, despite our differences. This unity is not about erasing our distinctiveness but celebrating our diversity within the body of Christ.
Living Out Reconciliation
How, then, do we live out this divine reconciliation? It begins with recognizing the walls we've built in our hearts and asking God to help us tear them down. It involves reaching out across divides, offering forgiveness, and seeking understanding. As we embody Christ's love, we become agents of peace in a world often defined by division.
Conclusion
In contemporary times, various factors may divide us. By relying on God's provision, we should endeavor to embody the peace and unity that Jesus exemplifies.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, just as Christ broke down the walls of hostility that separated us, help us to tear down the barriers in our own hearts. Teach us to walk in unity and love, reflecting Your reconciling love to a divided world. May we remember the lesson of the Berlin Wall—not as a symbol of separation but as a reminder of the joy and peace that come when barriers fall. In Jesus' name, Amen.
----------------------------
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM
The Bible texts are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
Click open to read…
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