Everlasting November 2, 2025 Devotional

EPHESIANS 2:11-12, 19a | ¹¹ So then, remember that at one time you gentiles by birth, called “the uncircumcision” by those who are called “the circumcision”—a circumcision made in the flesh by human hands— ¹² remember that you were at that time without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.

^19a So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens...

This week we explore the unique and everlasting connection enjoyed by followers of Jesus who become part of the communion of saints. One distinctive of this special community is that it is formed from previously hostile and separated groups.

Jews and Gentiles were separated in a myriad ways. Their differences were historical—for Jews had a separate history, formed around their covenants with God and their distinctive experiences of liberation and reformation. “Gentiles” essentially means non-Jews, so it encompasses hundreds of different groups with their own stories and histories. Jews and Gentiles were also separated by different belief systems, with Hebrew monotheism being unlike the many polytheistic, pagan approaches. The different beliefs led to different practices. Jewish law-keeping, with its detailed forms of obedience, its circumcision and food rules, was a practical and powerful separator. Paul can summarize, from the Jewish/Christian perspective, that all non-Jews were aliens and strangers and the wall of division was one of hostility.

Which of these barriers seems highest to you?

Gracious God,

With You the walls come tumbling down! The barriers break up. The fences fall. Help me to be someone also who can reach past differences to connect and reconcile.

Amen.