But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

                                                                                                            Ephesians 2:13-16 

Today’s passage contains everything that we, as believers, need in order to spend the rest of the day praising God. Four fundamental yet magnificent truths appear in this portion of Paul’s letter. I get excited just pondering the magnitude of each. If your spiritual life needs a boost today, consider the following realities that the power of the cross brings for those who call themselves followers of Jesus!

(1) The Cross Brings Peace Between God And Mankind

Sometimes there is confusion about the issue of peace. Perhaps someone would say, “If Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) then why is there still so much conflict on the earth?” The answer to this question is that the cross of Jesus brings peace between God and those who trust in Him for salvation. This peace does not extend between believers and the rest of the world. In other words, Jesus brings peace to our souls in that we can have fellowship with Him but this bliss won’t necessarily extend to all of your earthly relationships. In fact the opposite is actually true. Jesus explained this reality when He stated that He was not bringing peace to the earth rather He was bringing a sword (Matthew 10:34). Although Christians will be persecuted for their faith, they can enjoy peace with God as they travel down life’s road (Matthew 11:28-30). 

(2) The Cross Broke Down The Barrier Between God And Mankind

When we read that the curtain was torn in two at the death of Christ, we understand that the barrier between a Holy God and sinful mankind was broken. If this reality does not excite us, I really don’t know what will. Apart from the death of Christ, no one has the right or ability to speak to God or access Him in any way. Why? Because there is nothing that holiness and sinfulness have in common. Because God is perfectly holy and we are wholly sinful and rebellious, the two cannot coexist in the same place. Jesus fulfilled what we could not do for ourselves at the cross effectively removing this barrier. As believers we can now access God through the name of Jesus. Consider the following:

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.                                                                                

                                                                                                            Hebrews 4:14-16 

(3) The Cross Abolished The Enmity Between God and Mankind

Enmity can be defined as being actively opposed or hostile toward someone or something. In this case, the enmity is the hostility and opposition that mankind has against their Creator. Jesus came down from heaven, God incarnate, and mankind hung Him on a cross. Nothing had really changed. When you meet people and mention Christ, you will get one of two responses. Either a person will embrace and glorify the name of Jesus or they will be opposed to the same. Confrontational people might even get in your face as your proclaim the name of Jesus. Non-confrontational people will usually just avoid the situation. Either way, these individuals are expressing their objection to the name of Christ.

This shouldn’t come as any surprise. Life and death, good and evil, blessings and curses, and light and darkness have nothing in common. In heaven there is no death. In heaven there is no evil. In heaven there are no curses. And in heaven there is no darkness. So it only stands to reason that when Jesus brought heaven down to earth and when believers do the same, the world will seethe, rebel, and persecute. For those who reject the gospel of Jesus Christ and live according to the ways of the world, they are still at enmity with God and without hope (James 4:4). But for born again believers, the cross has put an end to the enmity, giving us the right to be called friends of God.

(4) The Cross Brings Reconciliation Between God And Mankind

To be reconciled is to coexist in harmony. It is to be compatible and to restore friendly relations between two parties. Do you want to live in harmony with God? The cross of Jesus makes that a reality. Do you desire to have your relationship with God restored to the status of friendly? The cross creates reconciliation for all of those who will come to Jesus. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself because He loves us. This reconciliation means that God will not ever count your trespasses and failures against you. You can live in peace and harmony with your Savior. You can speak to God and enjoy fellowship with Him everyday. You can confidently trust Him with every aspect of your life. And you should share this message of reconciliation with others. The world needs to know that the cross of Jesus Christ brings peace, removes barriers, abolishes enmity, and provides reconciliation. That’s the power of the cross! Won’t you share that message with someone today?

Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

                                                                                                     2 Corinthians 5:18-19