“The Cross of Reconciliation”
So they took Jesus; and carrying the cross by himself, he went out to what is called The Place of the Skull, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. — John 19:16b–17
For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. — Romans 5:10
Our Lenten journeys have led us to Golgotha where the ultimate display of reconciliation is seen through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Through Paul’s writings we understand that he considers the work that was done by Jesus Christ as a work of reconciliation. God is the reconciler, and we are the ones who are reconciled, having our sins wiped clean. Nothing was done on our part in order to bring about this reconciliation, but rather it is something that we can fully receive. This is a more powerful and sacrificial love than we have ever seen.
Love is a mandate and that love requires reconciliation. And reconciliation requires inward work in order to seek peace and forgiveness. It also requires an action focused on justice and a restitution of wrongs. When two parties are at odds with one another, typically there is a side that needs to forgive the wrong that was done and a side that requires justice of the wrongdoer. Of course, every relationship is unique, yet justice can always be found in the hard work of restoring what was once broken.
Let us walk in the Spirit and be led by our God to bring this justice to a world that so greatly needs it. Loving one another as Christ has loved us is the work that we as believers have been called to do. This is the heart of shalom, and we have a chance to bring love and reconciliation into our own lives and within our own communities.
Right now is a time to ponder and meditate on this reconciliation that we have so lovingly been given. I hope this can be the reminder of what we have been given, and through knowing that deep love and restoration, that we too can be ones to live in a way that is unlike what we see so often within this world. To repair a broken world, we must be Christ to one another. We must act as ones who know the redemptive power of being reconciled.
God, we come before you filled with gratitude that while we were sinners your Son died for us, bringing reconciliation to all. We pray that we never forget your sacrifice to save us. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.
Written by: Ivy Lopedito, Christian Brooks, and Donna Jackson