BREAKING DOWN THE WALL OF PARTITION

“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.” (Ephesians 2:14)

This middle wall of partition is a figure with important symbolic applications. The only specific Old Testament reference to a partition is to the wall shielding the Holy Place in the Temple of God as built by Solomon. “So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold” (1 Kings 6:21). This gold-covered wall separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies, where God met annually with the high priest at the Ark of the Covenant. Apparently, the opening through the partition was covered with a thick veil, preventing others from entering or even seeing the Ark inside. But that veil was rent, and soon the wall itself torn down, when Christ died and rose again, forever opening the way to God for all who would come in faith through Him (Hebrews 10:19-20).

Brethren, we are at a place in our life and the church that something is hindering the growth of the church. There may be a wall of hatred or jealously blocking the move of the spirit of God in the life of the church and the individual. Many people seem to look at others hindering them from making any progress, but if we look within us we will find that there is a barrier or wall that is blocking direct communication with the Father through His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

The “middle wall of partition” mentioned in our text, however, refers to a wall separating the court of the Gentiles from the rest of the Herodian temple. This is the only New Testament reference to a partition and symbolizes the distinction placed between Jew and Gentile in the Mosaic economy. This economy served the divine purpose of preparing a nation to receive the coming of Christ, with the goal of providing salvation for all people. But this wall also has now been broken down by Christ, and “through Him, we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father” (Ephesians 2:18).

No longer is there a distinction between priest and people, or between Jew and Gentile, or any other difference. “There is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all” (Colossians 3:11).

No difference whatsoever for we are one in Christ. One Lord, One Faith and  One Baptism. So there is no separation to those that are in Christ Jesus walking according to His word and Holy Spirit.