Verses 13-16

The blood of Christ does away all difference between those who were far of and those who were nigh. It is evident that the Jews, having put to death the Messiah, had destroyed every link between themselves and God; the middle wall of partition was broken down. They were like the nations, and more guilty than they. All that had belonged to them was entirely destroyed, and set aside by the death of Christ. That which had made the distinction of the Jew consisted in the ordinances, by excluding the Gentiles who had no part in them. Now there is no longer need to know whether one is a Jew or a Gentile, for we see in verse 15 that the end of God is to take Jews and Gentiles in order to make one body of both. He has broken down the middle wall of partition, and wishes to form not the commonwealth of Israel again, but a new body in His presence, taken from either by the cross. It is evident that he who approaches to God by the cross has done with the Jewish ground. The apostle insists upon this point, that God having laid this foundation in Christ, means to have but one body before Him; and then he shows how that is accomplished here below. If I draw near to God through the blood of Christ, I am a member of His body.
Verse 17.
God had made peace, through the blood of Christ, between Jews and Gentiles, by reconciling them both to Himself by the cross: it is a new thing, a new man in Christ, in Jesus Himself. The apostle says it is the cross which has done it, by breaking down the middle wall of partition; and this oneness was established in principle, the moment Christ died. It is the cross has as done it; all difference is destroyed. The uppermost thought with God was to gather together in one, one glorious body in His presence; but in order to do that He must make peace and break down the middle wall of partition; this is what was done by the cross of Christ. It is remarkable that it should be said that it is Christ who came to bring us peace, for it is not His spirit, but Himself who brings us peace; this peace which is before God, which is accomplished. It is by Him that we have the enjoyment of it. Christ does not only produce good results in us; but He brings to us the good news of the peace which is made, and He brings it with Himself. "He came and preached peace to them which were afar off, and to them which were nigh."