Ephesians Devotionals
Bob Morris
One Triune Family (Ephesians 2:17-18)
He came and preached peace 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.
I once asked an astute theological professor how we knew whom to address in our prayers, since most people addressed the Father, many Pentecostals but few others prayed to the Holy Spirit, and little children were taught to pray, “Dear Jesus…” He directed me to this verse in Ephesians, saying that there was a pattern here, whether or not it was a formula we should follow. The more significant statement of this verse is that each of the three persons of the Triune God is involved in our access to God.
As wonderful as that idea is to a convinced Christian, it is a major stumbling block to strict monotheists, whether Jew, Muslim, or Unitarian. Over the years I have learned never to start a conversation with a Muslim on the subject of the Trinity. I recall a visit by bus to a rural hospital in Pakistan. The bus was so crowded there was barely room to stand, but passengers kindly made room for me beside an elderly man cradling a huge water pot on his lap. His first question was, “Where are you headed?” When I responded “To Kunri Christian Hospital”, his next response was, “Why do you Christians believe in three gods?” Neither my wisdom nor level of fluency in Urdu was adequate to the task of engaging him in a spiritually significant discussion.
I have heard many a conversation involving someone trying to “explain” the Trinity. I have heard illustrations of water (existing as solid liquid, or gas but the same substance), an egg (three parts shell, white, yolk, none of which by itself is an egg) and St. Patrick’s supposed reference to the shamrock. One of the more interesting exchanges I observed was a Muslim writing 1+1+1 = ? on a table napkin, inviting his Christian guest to complete the equation. In response, the Christian wrote down 1x1x1 = ?
But these kinds of arguments accomplish little, and certainly do not explain the mystery of the Trinity. More recently I have learned to follow the advice of Vivienne Stacey, apostle to Muslims in Pakistan and the Middle East, who advises opening conversations and relationships with Muslims on topics and passions we share in common – law, Abraham, submission to God, and so on. The goal is to meet them in the person of Christ; a great advantage is their acceptance of Isa (Jesus) as a sinless prophet. At least then there is some possibility of building a relationship, the sine qua non of mission.
The better story to share with Muslims and everyone else is that God has taken the initiative to make peace with us. He has spoken and he has acted to reconcile us to himself, whether we were blessed as his chosen people (those who are near throughout their history) or whether we were far away. Christ first created peace (verses 14, 15) and now he proclaims it (17).
The first words the resurrected Jesus said to the frightened disciples was “Peace be with you!” (John 20: 21). Peter and the other apostles proclaimed this same message to the Gentiles, “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” (Acts 10: 36). The word “access” (prosagoge) which we have to the Father evokes an oriental scene where people introduced by a person known as the prosagogeus could enter the presence of a powerful king. In Christ, our prosaogeus, we have that access to our Father, King of Kings and Lord of the universe.
Father, I marvel at the access we have to the holy of holies, your very presence. Lord Jesus, thank you for paying the cost for my being here. Holy Spirit, grant me the thoughts and words that are worthy of this awesome fellowship with the Triune God.
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