Ephesians 2.19-22 (1)
Pray Psalm 72.7-11.
In His days the righteous shall flourish,
And abundance of peace,
Until the moon is no more.
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth.
Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him,
And His enemies will lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles
Will bring presents;
The kings of Sheba and Seba
Will offer gifts.
Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him;
All nations shall serve Him.
Sing Psalm 72.7-11.
(Martyrdom: Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed)
Let righteousness abundant be where Jesus’ reign endures;
let peace increase from sea to sea ’til moonlight shall be no more.
And let the Righteous rule the earth, and let His foes bow low;
let nations praise His matchless worth, and all His bidding do.
Read Ephesians 2.19-22; meditate on the word, “citizen”.
From what word does this derive? What does it mean? What images come to mind?
Preparation
1. What are believers “no longer”? Why is that so (vv. 12-18)?
2. What are we now?
Meditation
This passage is dense with meaning. Paul employs three metaphors to describe our proper identity as those who have access to God through Jesus Christ by His Spirit. Each of these metaphors encourages us to think about ourselves expansively, progressively, and communally. And each of these, though metaphors to guide our thinking, expresses a reality that answers the question, “How shall we think of ourselves within God’s covenant and promises?”
The first of these metaphors is “citizen”. As “saints”—those set apart for God—we have been conveyed into the Kingdom of God, or as it is also referred to in Scripture, the City of God (cf. Ps. 48). We are citizens in the realm where Jesus rules, and we have been seated with Him (v. 6) there because we are to share in His rule in our own sphere within His City. The River of the Spirit flows to refresh and renew us daily, and to carry us in His power to those who are yet “without” (Ps. 46.4, 5). That same Spirit is at work within us, writing the Law of God’s City on our heart and making us day by day more like our King (Gal. 4.4-6; 2 Cor. 3.12-18).
As citizens we share together in the life, lore, and Law of our City, and we work to expand the reach of its rule “from the River to the ends of the earth.”
Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
In years past, when we were facing a move to a new state and city, I would contact the Chamber of Commerce (is that even still a thing?) and ask them to send us brochures regarding the natural attractions, topographical and weather-related information, and city functions surrounding that area. It was helpful and enticing and, gave us something to anticipate. It also lent the feeling that, upon arrival, we would not feel like strangers and foreigners.
As members of the household of God (Eph. 2.19) we have quintessential information for living on earth (as we will in heaven Matt. 6.10) ready at our fingertips. Anything and everything we need to know about is written in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. God’s guidebook, His tantalizing brochures, His information on how the Kingdom works is all written down for us to daily consume (Jer. 15.16).
His Word causes us to feel secure in His Kingdom, to know that we are not without fellow citizens walking the same path and investigating the same beautiful features of what we see here and now, and what we will see and experience there and then.
Earth is crammed with heaven,
and every common bush afire with God:
but only he who sees takes off his shoes;
the rest sit round and pluck blackberries,
and daub their natural faces unaware.
(Elizabeth Barrett Browning, 1856)
“Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised
in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.
Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth,
is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
the city of the great King.God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge…
In the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God;
God will establish it forever” (Ps. 48.1-3, 8).
“There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,
the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.God is in the midst of her…” (Ps. 46.4, 5).
“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21.3, 4).“The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it.
The Lamb is its light” (Rev. 21.23).
“For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light” (Ps. 36.9).
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you” (Jn. 14.2).
These are just a few snippets from the tantalizing brochures of God; and with great amazement, wonder, and shoes off, we eagerly accept our role as citizens of this His glorious Kingdom.
Reflection
1. How has being a citizen in God’s City and Kingdom affected your life?
2. Would you say that you have a good understanding of what it means for God’s Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven? Explain.
3. How should the reality of the Kingdom affect the way we share the Good News about Jesus?
Who can, without trembling, reflect upon the misery of a person, separated for ever from the people of God, cut off from the body of Christ, fallen from the covenant of promise, having no hope, no Savior, and without any God but a God of vengeance, to all eternity? Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Ephesians 2.11, 12
Pray Psalm 72.1-6.
Pray these verses verbatim, just as they are, and let them lead you into the Lord’s Prayer.
Sing Psalm 72.1-6.
(Martyrdom: Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed)
O give the King Your judgments, LORD, and righteousness Your Son;
and let Him judge by Your good Word the need of everyone.
Let now the mountains ring with peace, the hills in righteousness.
Let justice rise, oppression cease, and all the needy bless.
Let nations fear You while the sun and moon endure on high;
refresh, renew us, everyone, like sweet rain falling from the sky.
T. M. and Susie Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we are looking at ways the Law of God applies to our lives. This week our Read Moore podcast continues addressing the question raised by our book, What in Heaven Is Jesus Doing on Earth? This week our Crosfigell teaching letters begins a study of the life of Brigid, a contemporary of Brendan. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
