JESUS: THE SOURCE OF PEACE FOR ALL WHO KNOW HIM
Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh
and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)—
remember that at that time you were separate from Christ,
alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise,
without hope and without God in the world.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away
have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
For He Himself is our peaceG1515, who has made the two one and has torn down
the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees.
He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peaceG1515
and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross,
by which He extinguished their hostility. He came and preached peaceG1515
to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:11-18
There had long been a divide between the Jews and the Gentiles—anyone not of the nation or religion of the Jews. The Gentiles were “far off” as in not near to the one true God. God had promised Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him (Genesis 18:17-19); but rather than sharing God with the Gentiles, the Jews had used the Law to alienate them. In the Complete Jewish Study Bible, Ephesians 2:17 is linked with Isaiah 57:19 indicating that Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would extend peace to both Jew (those who are near) and Gentile (those who are far away).
Isaiah 57:19 (CJB) I will create the right words: ‘Shalom, Shalom to those far off and to those nearby!’ says Adonai; ‘I will heal them!’
Ephesians 2:17 (CJB) Also, when he came, he announced as Good News shalom to you far off and shalom to those nearby, news that through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
Jesus brought peace to both Jew and Gentile through His death on the cross. Peace with God is available to all kinds of people by grace through faith in Christ. Christ also brings peace between people of different backgrounds. Charles Swindoll summarizes this truth well:
In short, when Jesus Christ paid the penalty for the sins of all humanity—Jews and Gentiles alike—the wall of separation crumbled. As Paul had written to the Galatians, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28). Christ Himself—and Christ alone—is our peace (Eph. 2:14). The Greek text places a strong emphasis on “Himself,” reminding us, as Paul has throughout this letter, that our new life has been given to us as a gracious gift provided by Christ’s work alone. He has bestowed this gift upon us by grace alone through faith alone. What a glorious truth! Christ alone is peace personified. Centuries earlier, Isaiah prophesied that the promised child born of the family of David would be called “Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). Through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, every believer shares a common union of peace with each other: whether Jew or Gentile; male or female; black, white, Asian, or Hispanic; rich or poor; educated or uneducated; strong or weak. The racial, ethnic, political, social, and economic dividers that cause so much conflict in our world fade into insignificance when the Son of God brings spiritual peace. (78)
We also found a good article at gotquestions.org.
In Christ, all people have the same spiritual standing: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Regardless of our race, gender, or nationality, we are all saved the same way, and, once saved, we are “fellow citizens” and members of God’s household (Ephesians 2:19). Together in Jesus Christ, “the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord” (Ephesians 2:21). (79)
https://www.gotquestions.org/He-Himself-is-our-peace.html
Paul’s message to the church at Ephesus was not for the early church alone. It is as current today as it was in Paul’s day. There are many things that divide people. However, for those in the body of Christ, those of us who have received the gift of salvation by grace alone through faith in Christ alone, there should be no divisions. We should be at peace with all others in what the Complete Jewish Bible calls the Messianic Community, those who have trusted in Jesus as the Messiah promised to the Jews.
Unity in the church was a frequent topic in Paul’s writings. When a teacher wants to emphasize an important concept, he/she repeats that concept over and over in many different ways to drill it into the students. This tells us that the Lord inspired Paul to drill unity and peace within the church to his readers, including us today! Are we as believers living in peace with each other. Are we as individual believers living in peace with other individual believers as much as it depends on us? (Romans 12:18)
Father, help us to begin with an attitude of wanting to be at peace with others. Help us to be welcoming to brothers and sisters from all backgrounds, races, political parties, etc. because we are united by the blood of Jesus. You love us and call us as individuals, but Your blood also washes away all divisive lines. Lord, help us to truly be one in the Spirit. Jesus, You are the true source of our peace.
Worship with Wes Hampton and the Gaither Vocal Band singing “He is Here”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A97aLphdL00