I can still remember it. I was only 9 years old, even though I didn’t understand the full significance, I knew that something important was happening. On 9 November 1989, the Berlin Wall – that great wall dividing East and West Germany – came crashing down.
About 2000 years earlier another wall, not a physical wall, but a wall of even greater significance came tumbling down. “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14). The ‘he’ in that sentence is referring to Jesus. The ‘two’ is referring to two people groups: God’s chosen people from the Old Testament, Israel; and everyone else, Gentiles. It’s saying that Jesus has brought these two warring parties together as one. In doing so he has broken down the long-standing dividing wall of hostility bringing peace.
This peace-making act of Jesus did more than just bring two people groups together, check out the next sentence “…in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility” (Ephesians 2:16). Jesus, through the shedding of his blood on the cross, has made it possible for people to be brought back into relationship with God. This is far more incredible than the events of 1989.
ABC News reported that “pieces of the concrete wall are now displayed around the world as symbols of freedom.” Likewise with the destruction of the dividing wall 2000 years ago, there are pieces displayed around the world: “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 3:10). Here’s the deal. Today, when Christians (the church) meet together, they are displaying something of God’s wisdom: bringing people together; and together bringing them to himself.
Never been to a church? Go check one out. Don’t know which one to go to? Let me know and I’ll help you find one. Read more about Jesus: here and here.
michael jensen has a great article on abc: http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/stories/s2736553.htm
Definately an amazing event in history (both walls you described)
My old man has partnered with a guy who was involved in negotiations for the Berlin wall’s destruction.
Now they’re working in North Korea – hopefully one day that wall will come down too