Circle back to the thought experiment from the beginning of the week. You are sitting across the table from a person in our society who could not be more different from you. Can you picture that person? This is the person you are least likely to get along with. Ask God if there is a specific person he wants you to think about. Is there animosity between you and any other human on this planet? God wants you to be reconciled with that person.
Jesus came to heal every last wound of the world. Jesus heals the sick and touches the leper. Jesus feeds the hungry and raises the dead. But all these injuries are the symptom of a greater problem—our broken relationship with God. Our problem is a sin problem. This doesn’t mean that anyone who gets a disease does so because they are guilty of sin. Instead, it means that the tearing of our relationship with God coincides with the tearing of our relationships with our bodies, the world, and each other. War is caused by broken relationships, but so are disease and poverty.
The antidote is healed relationships. We see this in Colossians 1; Paul tells us what God is doing in Christ—the fullness of God dwells in him so that all things will be reconciled with him. The goal is reconciliation. In our reading today, Jesus realigns our priorities. Yes, the things you are busy with are important. You might even be busy with God things—what could be more important? Reconciliation. Stop what you are doing and seek reconciliation! That is what God does in Jesus, and that is what we are to do, too. Everything else is a distraction from this because reconciliation is the kingdom of heaven that Jesus is talking about.
I know your question before you ask it: How do we reconcile? Begin with prayer and find any hint of resentment and hurt feelings you are harboring. Forgive. Choose to let go so that the past doesn’t dictate your future. Pay attention to any fear you have. Is the fear unfounded? Are you relying on fear to keep you safe? The only way that fear can keep you safe is to keep you out of relationship. Take your safety out of the hands of fear and place it into God’s hands. Next, reach out. Start over. Say sorry for any wrong you have done. Tell the person that you forgive them. That’s it.
One last very important note: Reconciliation and all relationships are a two-way street. Romans 12:18 says, “If it’s possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” There are people who won’t want to live at peace with you. You must do your part; you can’t do theirs. If someone is not willing to do the work to be in relationship with you, it limits your ability to be in relationship with them. You still have to do your part. Most importantly, in the rare cases where there has been abuse, some people will never be safe enough to reconcile with. If you feel that this might be your situation, don’t navigate these waters alone; seek wise counsel from someone who loves you and loves God.
Prayer:
Redeeming God, you left heaven because you refused to have it without us. Thank you for reconciling us to you. Thank you for your patience with my faults, and for separating my sin from me so I can stand in your presence without blemish. When I refuse to forgive the pittance owed me, remind me how vast the fortune I owe you. There is nothing I can do to repay you, but you cancel my debts. Give me the strength to do the same. Amen.
Reflection:
- Think of the person you struggle most to forgive. Pray for the ability to see them the way God does.
- Think of the person you’ve most harmed. What can you do to reconcile with them?