Title Boosts of the Cross
Contents
※ Ephesians 2:11-19
The church is a community of love that is superior to any other community in the world. Nevertheless, there are small barriers within the church community, either unknowingly or unknowingly. The church is like that, but what about the world? There are so many great and small barriers everywhere in human society.
The Apostle Paul worked tirelessly to break down these barriers. In order to break down the barrier between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians, the Apostle Paul went to many churches, such as the Thessalonian church, to get relief, and actively helped the Jerusalem church when it was financially difficult. It is indescribable that the Apostle Paul worked so hard to bring the Jerusalem church and the Gentile churches to become one with each other. Have you nevertheless become one? It was really difficult to become one.
Among these efforts, what the Apostle Paul realized is Ephesians 2:11-19. “You who were far away have been drawn near by the blood of Christ in Christ Jesus. You were separated from one another, but Jesus Christ broke down the barriers with the cross, and made you one in Christ.”
The Apostle Paul confesses that it is not through human strength, but through the cross of Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:2 “I have decided not to know the rest of the world. There is no way for me to become one with the other sciences of the world. I am determined not to know anything but Jesus Christ.” I am speaking. And Galatians 6:14 “I have nothing to boast about except in the cross of Christ.” As we confess, only the cross of Jesus is telling us that the only way to make peace with us who are separated from each other is the cross.
There are three types of self-pride. The first is the pride of the race. The Bible says, “I am a pure Israelite.” The pride of the race makes the Gentiles look down on them. The second is to be proud of the material. Pride in material things is enough to separate even close brothers. The third is the pride of knowledge. The Greeks were very proud of their knowledge. They thought that no one in the world was as educated as they were. In this way, we humans destroy our peace and our happiness because of our pride.
Where can the peace and happiness that God desires begin in these human lives, conflicts, antagonism, and barriers to each other? The Apostle Paul is speaking of the fact that there is nothing but the cross.
When we worship at the cross, the most important thing is to discover that we are a sinner before the cross. Our pride must be the cross. Right under the cross, the Apostle Paul said, “I am the chief among sinners. At the bottom of the cross I knew what greed was, and at the cross I knew what sin was.” that was confessed. There is nothing more blessed than realizing that I am a sinner at the foot of the cross. Find yourself before the cross.
When you stand in front of the cross, you will see Jesus hanging on the cross for your sins, and you will see Jesus being sacrificed for your sins. “Look at that Lamb who takes away the sin of the world.” Until now, I did not know what the cross meant. But today, when I realized my sin on the cross, Jesus was crucified and suffered for my sins. He was pierced for my transgressions, and he was bruised for my iniquities.
It is not my merit that I have been saved today, and even though I am a child of God, there is no merit for me. It is all the grace of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:7 “Where are you that you have not received anything from God? How do you boast that you have not received anything from God?” We have nothing to boast about. Since there is nothing to be proud of, the walls built up because of pride will come down, and when the walls come down, peace will be established between us and the work of unity that the Lord wants will happen. During Lent, while looking at Jesus who was crucified for our sins, all our pride disappears, realizing that I am a sinner, and looking at Jesus who suffered for me on the cross, we become more humble before the Lord, love our neighbors, and fulfill the mission God has given us. I bless you in the name of the Lord that you will become worthy saints.
2007-04-13 18:52:34