But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:13
God chose to bless the nations by taking a people for His name from the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. For thousands of years, man could offer the God-ordained sacrifice performed by Israel’s high priest to wash away their sin and approach God. However, this has always hinted at God’s purpose to reconcile us to Himself through the death of His only Son, Jesus. The sacrificial death and the glorious resurrection of Jesus opened the door for man to enter the throne room of heaven and approach a Holy God. Jesus was the final sacrifice that had the power to wash away the sins of the past, present, and future forever.
As apostle Paul wrote this letter, he was educating the gentiles that Jesus did not die for one sect of people alone. His death was the penalty paid for all humanity, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. How tragic for both non-believers in the cross and believers who cannot comprehend the open access to our Heavenly Father due to their narrow outlook. How foolish of us to still trust in our karma and sacrifice to earn our salvation. It is not us, but only Jesus who cleanses us.
We were all once outsiders—members of a hopeless, sinful race. But through the resurrection, we have been made saints. We, once condemned, are now free. We walked in darkness, but now, brought into the Kingdom of light. We who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Through the blood of Jesus, we are now part of God’s family.
