Dear Brethren,

MEDITATION
14  For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,  15  having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,

Ephesians 2:14-15

OBSERVATION AND INTERPRETATION

1. The middle wall of separation

a) There was a huge wall between Jew and Gentile
b) There was an original reason for this separation

2. The original idea of separation

a) So that Israel would not be influenced wrongly by Gentile nations
b) The influence was potentially negative and deadly

3. Israel had failed to benefit from the original wall of separation

a) It chose to reject God
b) Instead, Israel embraced idols
c) Israel became the following:

i) Wicked
ii) Corrupt
iii) Arrogant
iv) Estranged from God
v) Spiritually bankrupt

4. The wall of Separation that existed

a) It was a man-made problem
b) Jews despised Gentiles
c) They withdrew themselves for the wrong reasons

i) They felt superior
ii) They despised Gentiles

5. In the context of the Church

a) God abolished the enmity
b) The laws and ordinances that distanced Israel from other nations
b) God did away with these laws of segregation

6. A new entity created

a) Instead of two groups

i) Jews
ii) Gentiles

b) A new man was created

i) God wanted them to live in peace
ii) The barrier had been removed

APPLICATION TO LIFE AND MINISTRY
1. Racial segregation continues to be a major problem today
2. Let us seek to forge a sense of oneness in the Church
3. Let us seek to apply this wonderful truth in our Churches

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charles Tan