No 5 in the series on The Bible book of Ephesians

Jews hated Gentiles at the time that Paul wrote this book to the Ephesians. In fact the Jews emphasised this by referring to Gentiles as ‘dogs’. However, Paul explains that Jesus came not just to the Jews, but also to the Gentile population, which included anyone who was not a Jew. Paul then shows that Jesus came to save both the Jews and the Gentiles, and he did this by dying on the cross, paying the penalty that we deserve. We deserve it because we are not perfect; we do things we should not do, and don’t do things that we should do – it is our natural human failing.

Campbell goes through this passage verse by verse and explains what Paul means, so as to help us to understand what Jesus has done for us and what we need to do in return. When we understand this, then this is when we want to love Jesus, and also to love our fellow humans, regardless of race, achievements, or ordinariness. To seek to know Jesus, to respond to him, and to respond appropriately to others, leads to immense joy for us and others, regardless of the circumstances that we are in at the time. Campbell also explains how the sacrifices that God required in the Old Testament days are a pointer to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, thus doing away with the need for any further sacrifices of animals.

If you believe in Jesus Christ, then his death was for you personally, and Jesus wants to have a personal relationship with you. If you don’t yet know Jesus, then please seek him out, because he is knocking at the door to your heart and hoping that you will let him into your life, so that he can lead you to your fulfilment. Jesus knows you far better than you know yourself, and he wants what is best for you. All you need to do is to accept him as the saviour king that he is.