¹¹ Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands— ¹² remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you whoformerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, ¹⁵ by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, ¹⁶ and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. ¹⁷ AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; ¹⁸ for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,²² in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

The Jews were near, the Gentiles miles off. But even God’s chosen people were far enough away to miss the elevator up to God’s throne room. Even so, both groups faced a doorman in Jesus when they got there. Only he could authorize passage.

Even with the Messiah in their midst, the Jews rejected him. He was a “stumbling block.”

At the same time, the Gentiles were outside looking in, facing “the barrier of the dividing wall.” They were hopeless.

But at the cross both groups were whisked near to that elevator door, standing face to face with the Peacemaker.

The password?

Oh…”the blood of Christ.”

Every person, regardless of heritage, philanthropy, or good nature must believe in and utter these words to gain glorious access into God’s presence.

And when they do, they go boldly and confidently.

What then? A construction project awaits.