Ephesians 2:13 (KJV) “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
In this Scriptural text, Apostle Paul is writing to Gentile believers in Ephesus. He tells them that they were once far off from God, but now in Christ Jesus and through the blood of Jesus, they have been brought near to God. In the Old Testament world, Jews were seen as near to God because they had the covenants, the temple, the law, and the promises. Gentiles were far off – spiritually distant, outside the covenant, without hope, and without God (Eph 2:12). So, Paul is contrasting “then” before salvation and “now” after salvation. Before salvation, we were far away from God, separated by sin, without covenant privileges, and without hope. But through the blood of Jesus, we are brought near, restored, welcomed, and accepted before God.
To be “made nigh” means to be brought close – close to God. So, the means by which the distance was cancelled was the “precious blood of Jesus”. We who had no access into God’s presence, now we do have opened access into God's presence through the blood of Jesus (Heb. 10:19-20). Imagine a huge wall separating two people. No matter how much they shout, they can’t reach each other. But someone comes and breaks the wall down. Now they can meet face-to-face. Sin was the wall. The blood of Jesus broke it down. Now we stand close to God without fear. We thank the LORD God for the blood of Jesus Christ. Oh! How precious is the blood of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Written by: Andrew A. Esemudje