Aliens. That’s what we were before Jesus. We were “excluded from citizenship…foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God…” (Eph. 2:12 NIV). But Jesus changed that…forever. We “who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13 NIV).

Ephesians 2:19
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God….

At one time, there was a great obstacle dividing us. Jesus “destroyed the barrier.” Jesus abolished the obstacle through his work on the cross. He brought reconciliation between God and us. Jesus can do the same for our relationships with each other.   

Maybe you and your spouse are going in different directions. Jesus can make “the two one.” Maybe there is a great obstacle dividing you from your children. Jesus can destroy the barrier. Maybe there is a “dividing wall of hostility” between you and a family member or friend. Jesus can obliterate any wall in the way. He tears down walls and restores relationships. Let’s pray that he will do that for you.

Father, there are some reading this who are more than ready for Jesus to make the two one, destroy the barrier, and obliterate dividing walls. But the other party is not willing to submit to you. So today, this is our prayer—bring peace to the heart of the willing and crack through the hard heart of the unwilling. Thank you, Lord Jesus, that this can be done because of your work on the cross. In Jesus’ name. Amen.