A Picture of Salvation

"And that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity." - Ephesians 2:16 (NKJV)

There was a Native American who was asked to describe his salvation, and even though he didn't speak very good English, he was able to paint an incredible picture. He put some leaves on the ground in a circle, and there was dirt in the middle. Then he placed a caterpillar on one of the leaves in the center of this circle.

Next, he lit a match and set the circle of leaves on fire. Little by little, the flames began to close in on that caterpillar from every direction. The caterpillar tried desperately to escape, looking for a way out, but there was nowhere to go. The fire was coming from all sides, and the circle was getting smaller and smaller.

Finally, with no way of escape, the caterpillar came to the center and curled up, waiting to die. Just then, this Native American reached down and grabbed the caterpillar in his hand, rescuing him right before the flames would have consumed him.

Then he pointed to the caterpillar and said, "This... me."

Listen, that's the isolation that all of us endured before Jesus came into our lives. That circle of fire represents the judgment we all deserved because of our sin. We were helpless and hopeless, with no way of escape. But Jesus reached down and grabbed us just before we would have been consumed. Praise the Lord!

But Paul is saying here that Jesus did even more than rescue us individually. Through the cross, He reconciled both Jews and Gentiles to God in one body. He didn't just save us from something - He saved us to something. He saved us to be part of His family, His church, His body.

The word "reconcile" means to bring warring enemies together and make them friends. We were enemies of God, but through the cross, we've been made friends with God. And in that same act, Jesus put to death the enmity that existed between different groups of people.

Reflection Question: How has your understanding of being rescued by Jesus changed your heart toward people who are different from you?

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for reaching down and rescuing me when I was helpless and hopeless. Thank You that through the cross, You didn't just save me from judgment, but You reconciled me to Yourself and to others. Help me to live like someone who has been rescued, with gratitude that overflows into love for others. Put to death any enmity in my heart that keeps me from embracing Your whole family. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "Jesus Brings Us Close" (Ephesians 2:11-18): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/vzn9mr6/9-jesus-brings-us-close-eph-2-11-18