THE LIGHT 98.5 Vanderhoof

Singer-songwriter Tiffany Lee (popularly known by her stage name, Plumb) disc...

A monk named Telemachus lived a quiet life, but his death at the end of the fourth century changed the world. Visiting Rome from the East, Telemachus intervened in the blood sport of the gladiatorial arena. He jumped over the stadium wall and tried to stop the gladiators from killing each other. But the outraged crowd stoned the monk to death. The emperor Honorius, however, was moved by Telemachus’ act and decreed the end of the 500-year practice of gladiator games.

When Paul calls Jesus “our peace,” he refers to the end of hostility between Jews and gentiles (Ephesians 2:14). God’s chosen people Israel were distinct from the nations and enjoyed certain privileges. For instance, while gentiles were allowed to worship at the Jerusalem temple, a dividing wall restricted them to the outer court—on punishment of death. Jews regarded gentiles unclean, and they experienced mutual hostility. But now, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection for all, both Jew and gentile can worship God freely through faith in Him (vv. 18–22). There’s no dividing wall. There’s no privilege of one group over the other. Both are equal in their standing before God.

Just as Telemachus brought peace to warriors through his death, so Jesus makes peace and reconciliation possible for all who believe in Him through His death and resurrection. So, if Jesus is our peace, let’s not let our differences divide us. He’s made us one by His blood.

To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/110/29 3680 Bernard Bud Rauschenberger (Alcoholism, Debt, Hopelessness) As a child, Bud’s family only attended church on Christmas and Easter. He watched neighbors spend as much time at church as they did at the bar, and he doubted church was a transformative place. At fourteen, he and his best friend tried to make beer at home, and though that didn’t work out, he started a decades-long addiction to alcohol and cigarettes. Marrying and starting a family with his high school sweetheart, Nolene, didn’t change things. They just brought the kids to the bar with them. It wasn’t until Bud’s sister, Sally, invited him to her Bible study that his heart shifted. He gave His life to Jesus and got clean. He pursued restitution for the many debts he owed and started doing ministry work.