There was no love lost between the Jews and the Gentiles. Jews refused to associate with non-Jews, and if they even rubbed up against a Gentile while walking down the street, they considered themselves unclean. Then Jesus came…and changed everything.

Ephesians 2:19-22
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.  In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Because of Jesus, Gentiles were no longer foreigners and strangers to the family of God. Gentiles became fellow citizens and members of God’s household. Once, we were far away, but through the blood of Christ, Jews and Gentiles have been united. Jesus is our peace. He destroyed all the barriers of separation and made the two one. It is through Jesus that “we both have access in one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18).

Built on the foundation of the Old Testament prophets and the New Testament apostles, Jews and Gentiles—come together in Christ. He is the cornerstone, joining the walls and making the building strong. All peoples come together in Christ and grow “into a holy temple in the Lord.”

Lord Jesus,
Thank you for your Church. Thank you that all who know you are joined together by the cornerstone. Thank you that all those of your household will spend eternity together.
In your name. Amen.