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WUMFSA Devotionals for Advent to Epiphany, 2003 - 2004 Thursday, January 6, 2005, Epiphany IT’S SOMETHING YOU GIVE AWAY Ephesians 3:1-12 In the lectionary verses for this week, we read some of chapter three of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. But to read chapter three correctly, we need to go back. The mystery, the commission of God’s grace, the revelation that Paul talks about in chapter three is summed up in these words of chapter two: “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near…he is our peace…and has broken down the dividing wall….” Christ is OUR peace, the peace for ALL people. Paul helped the early church and helps us to understand that through the Spirit of Jesus, God’s love is now seen by people even outside Jesus’ own community. Peace is not something meant for a chosen few. All people are welcomed into the family of God and ALL of creation is meant to live in peace. Sometimes we Christians act as though we have a “corner” on God’s truth, or even God’s love. Paul was very familiar with this kind of thinking. He experienced it among the Jewish community of the first century and he speaks to it in his letter to the Ephesians. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is also a letter to us. As contemporary Christians, we read Paul’s words and recognize that it is our challenge to bring a truly inclusive understanding of God’s love to the world. Jesus’ entrance into human history, his life and his ministry bring close those who have been far off. All of Jesus’ words and actions are directed toward unity, toward spanning the distances that separate. Jesus breaks down the walls that divide. Paul tells us that this good news is given to us, “…so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known…” Christmas is our promise of peace. Epiphany is our call to show forth that peace, to make peace, to do peace, to embody peace. It is in the act of giving peace away that we begin to recognize the true peace of Christ, in all its rich variety. “Peace is not something you wish for, it’s something you make, something you do,
Tina Lang All contents copyright 2003 by the Wisconsin Chapter of the Methodist Federation for Social Action. Permission is granted to United Methodist congregations, individuals and groups to reproduce and distribute this devotional without charge. All other use requires the advance permission of the editor.
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