the same blood of the cross. The blood of Christ is set in sharp contrast with all the many

efforts of the flesh to accomplish redemption, access and peace. It tells us at once that we

are not dealing with reformation, but with new creation. Bloodshed indicates life given.

Any further movement therefore must be new life, resurrection life; and resurrection is

the sphere and power of the spiritual blessings of the dispensation of the mystery. Let us

withhold no praise, love and service, when we think of our distance, and try to realize our

nearness, as we contemplate the altar of sacrifice, the blood of atonement, the price paid

to set us free and bring us nigh to God.

We have followed the workings of Divine grace reaching out into the Egyptian

darkness of the Gentiles without hope, without God, and without Christ, and bringing

those who were far off nigh unto God. When we examine the doctrine and practice of

this dispensation, we shall find that Christ Himself in a marked manner fills up the

measure of Divine love and human need.

It is so in the passage under consideration. When the Gentiles are made nigh, they are

made so "in Christ" and "by His blood", and when they begin to enter into the fruit of

this grace, instead of finding impersonal blessings, they find Christ. The passage before

us does not say, "made nigh by His blood, therefore we have peace with God"; it says,

"for HE IS OUR PEACE". There is something about the Person of Christ that is found in

no one else. Not merely what He has done claims our homage or ministers to our need,

but what He is.

The subject of Peace in Ephesians is beautifully complete and of a special character.

Knowing the infallible accuracy of Scripture we are not surprised to find the word

occurring eight times, eight being the number of resurrection:--