Ending the Hostility

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Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-16 (ESV)

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.

Devotion:

            Today we celebrate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy. Dr. King strove during his life to bring the races together. He sought to heal the wounds and hostility brought about by slavery and Jim Crow laws. As he famously said from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial “I have a dream!” His dream was an end to racism and a healing of the racial wounds that were tearing the country apart. But, of course, Dr. King never lived to see that dream take hold in America. He became a victim of the race hatred that so engulfed the country. He was gunned down as he worked to end that very hatred.

            Where did Dr. King get the idea that such a dream was even possible. His inspiration was his religion. As we read Paul’s words in the scripture above, we can feel the beating heart of Dr. King’s dream. The dream that all people can live together in peace and harmony is found many places in both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. They are the dream of God for his people. The problem with all this dreaming is that so little of it can be seen. Our lived experience betrays our lack of peace and unity. In so many ways we fall short of what both what Dr. King dreamt of and what God through Jesus calls us to.

            So let us spend this day in prayer and repentance for our sins of racism and all other kinds of division that are tearing this country down. May we open our hearts to God and to our neighbor in such a way that the love of Christ can flow between and amongst us. Let us say no to those who would divide us by race, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality. Let us say yes to the ways of God and let him work his love deep within our hearts. May we stand together with one common purpose to bring peace and harmony to both our cities and rural areas. May the world stand as one proclaiming the victory of God’s love over Satan’s hatred and division.

Prayer:

            Lord help us do more than just dream of peace and harmony in this world. Let each of us take responsibility for our own lives so that we will live at peace with you and with our fellow humans. Lord, you died for the sins of us all. In you all sins are forgiven. Let each of us then keep no record of wrongs done to us by others. Teach us to love our brothers and sisters from our hearts. May we live our lives so that Dr. King’s dream and your vision for the world will be realized. Amen.

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