December 27, 2018 -- Ephesians 6:14-16 -- Jesus Himself is our Peace

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Ephesians 2:14-16 ESV

Jesus Himself is our shalom--He Himself is our peace.

Jesus Himself is our peace--which means that Old Testament animal sacrifices have stopped. The blood of sheep and goats and bulls all pointed to the hideousness of our sin. Sin requires death. The animal sacrifices pointed beyond themselves and their blood testified to the coming One: Jesus our Shalom. Jesus' full and perfect sacrifice means the end of animal sacrifices because heaven has been opened up to believers. Those who believe in Jesus have their sins forgiven.

Jesus Himself is our peace--believers understand the sacrifice of Jesus does not appease an angry God, no! The God of Holiness and Justice sent His Son into the world to rescue people from slavery to sin and the curse of death. Jesus Himself is our peace with God.

Jesus Himself is our shalom, our peace so that all who believe in Jesus form the new humanity, people freed from sin and brought into the new family of God. Those who believe in Jesus are sinners, law-breakers, and the wicked--all of whom no longer identify themselves by their sins, but identify themselves as members of the family of God. He Himself is our Shalom, our Peace, because sin no longer reigns in our mortal bodies.

Father in heaven what extravagant love You have shown us in Jesus Christ--Jesus Himself is our Peace. Jesus, increase our faith so that we will more dearly love You and experience the peace which can only be found in You. Spirit of God increase our understanding so that by the Word we will know more and more of the Shalom of Jesus. Let our lives reflect Your glory Jesus, our Shalom. Amen.