Paul was committed to declaring the message of reconciliation between Jews and Gentiles. He often wrote and spoke about tearing down the barriers that separated Jews and other races. The “wall of hostility” that Paul mentions here is a reference to the ultimate symbol of Jewish/Gentile separation - a barrier that had been erected in the temple courts to separate Jewish and Gentile worshippers.

In his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ destroyed all such walls. But today, as in Paul’s time, Christians have often refused to live in the unity he has won for us. Jesus has freely given us reconciliation between God and our fellow believers, but we fail to appropriate the unity that should emerge from that gift. Tragically, we have chosen to highlight differences between ourselves and others. But Christ’s power still shatters these flimsy constructions, be they physical, psychological, stereotypical, or spiritual Knowing this, our job is to not only point people to Christ , but, like Paul, to remind believers that in Christ there are no barriers.

That message begins with each individual. What can you do today to begin to live in the unity that Jesus Christ won?