Our Daily Bread Devotional For 22 December 2023 ODB Message
Read Our Daily Bread Devotional For 22nd December 2023, Friday ODB Message written by Tom Felten and Today’s Insight By Tim Gustafson
TOPIC: Walls Torn Down, Unity Found
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Bible in a Year: Micah 6–7; Revelation 13
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility – Ephesians 2:14 nlt
Today’s Scripture
Ephesians 2:11–22
Insight: Paul’s reference to the “uncircumcised” is rooted in the derision Jewish people misguidedly directed at gentiles (Ephesians 2:11). Circumcision was a sign that set Jewish males apart for God (Genesis 17:1-14). But Paul wrote that “a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code” (Romans 2:29). As he wrote Ephesians, Paul was in prison, wrongly charged with bringing a non-Jew into the temple area (Acts 21:27-29). God, however, was bringing Jew and gentile together in the body of Christ, the church (Ephesians 2:19-21).
Our Daily Bread Devotional For 22nd December 2023 MESSAGE
Since 1961, families and friends had been separated by the Berlin Wall. Erected that year by the East German government, the barrier kept its citizens from fleeing to West Germany. In fact, from 1949 to the day the structure was built, it’s estimated that more than 2.5 million East Germans had bolted to the West. US President Ronald Reagan stood at the wall in 1987 and famously said, “Tear down this wall.” His words reflected a groundswell of change that culminated with the wall being torn down in 1989—leading to Germany’s joyous reunification.
Paul wrote of a “wall of hostility” torn down by Jesus (Ephesians 2:14). The wall had existed between Jews (God’s chosen people) and gentiles (all other people). And it was symbolized by the dividing wall (the soreg) in the ancient temple erected by Herod the Great in Jerusalem. It kept gentiles from entering beyond the outer courts of the temple, though they could see the inner courts. But Jesus brought “peace” and reconciliation between the Jews and gentiles and between God and all people. He did so by “[breaking] down the wall . . . that separated us” by “his death on the cross” (vv. 14, 16 nlt). The “Good News of peace” made it possible for all to be united by faith in Christ (vv. 17–18 nlt).
Today, many things can divide us. As God provides what we need, let’s strive to live out the peace and unity found in Jesus (vv. 19–22).
Reflect & Pray
What dividing walls do you see? How can you help remove them in Jesus’ strength?
God of peace, please help me tear down walls that deny Your truth and love.
Our Daily Bread 22 December 2023 Friday ODB Message. Our Daily Bread Ministries (ODB) is a Christian organization founded by Dr. Martin De Haan in 1938. It is based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with over 600 employees. It produces several devotional publications, including Our Daily Bread. our daily bread devotional for today audio our daily bread booklet.
READ MORE TOPICS: OPEN HEAVENS, OUR DAILY BREAD, IN TOUCH, SEEDS OF DESTINY, STREAMS OF JOY, JOEL OSTEEN, MOUNTAIN TOP LIFE, DCLM DAILY MANNA, UCB WORD FOR TODAY
