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Week 2 / Alive By Grace

Brought Near to God

Read: Ephesians 2:11-13; Matthew 28:19-20

SOAP: Ephesians 2:13

"But now in Christ Jesus you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ." (NET)

Into the Text

We all have a desire to be fully known and loved, to be in the inner circle. In biblical times, we read that individuals were in one of two categories: either Jew or Gentile. A Gentile is anyone who is not an Israelite.

The Israelites were God’s chosen people. This was not because they were more important or more holy than any other people group. In fact, they were just as sinful as every other nation. Rather, God chose the Israelites to be the means through which He would show the world what a relationship with God looks like.

One way in which the Israelites demonstrated that they were set apart from others in their relationship with God was through the physical circumcision of the males. God also promised that through the people of Israel, specifically through King David’s line, the Messiah would come.

In some ways, the Gentiles were left on the outside. But God’s mission has always been to offer rescue to all people through Jesus. After Jesus died and was raised on the third day, He commissioned His disciples, and subsequently all believers, to proclaim the gospel to the whole world.

We are beneficiaries today of that command! We who were once far away from God due to our sin have been brought near by the blood of Jesus. We are now in the inner circle! There are now not two groups of people, but we have been brought together as one people of God because of Jesus.

Prayer

Jesus, thank you that I can be part of your family and your people. May I spend my days proclaiming the truth of the gospel to those around me who don’t know you. Amen.