From one blood [God] made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live,so that they would search for God… and find him. [Acts 17:26,27]

Paul could have been speaking of us in twenty first century Australia! We are indeed made up of all the nations of the earth – e.g., hundreds of Aboriginal nations, African nations, Asian nations, Arab nations, European nations, and the British.

The “one blood” from which God made all the nations refers to our common ancestor, Adam. It also refers to the blood of Jesus Christ – a “Second Adam” (1Cor 15:45) – through whom God reconciled us to Himself (Col 1:20,21), and to one another (Eph 2:16-19), remaking us as “one new humanity” (Eph 2:15), no longer strangers to one another, but belonging to the one household of God.

In Australia we have known the pain of separation and conflict, and tasted the peace and joy of true reconciliation and community. There are “worlds” more yet for us to discover of the riches of true community. Trusting in Christ who has reconciled us, hold out that reconciliation to all people in greatest hope (2Cor 5:18-21)!

Peace in graceJonathan.