Reconciliation

This meeting was severely disrupted as a result of last week’s lightning strike on the church. I was connected via Skype to Don, who was visiting Saudi Arabia, and to Ada, who lives in Canada, and to the church classroom in Taylor, Michigan via someone’s cellphone with speakerphone capability. My iPhone was also on speakerphone and set near the computer microphone and speaker so that Ada and Don could hear, and be heard by, the group in Taylor. It led to very poor audio quality and I may have misunderstood and misrepresented people more than I usually do. If so, I apologize.

Jason led the meeting.

Jason: We have talked a lot about conflict resolution. Today I propose we examine the reconciliation aspect of conflict resolution. Here are some passages to get us started:

Ephesians 2:11-18: Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called “Uncircumcision” by the so-called “Circumcision,” which is performed in the flesh by human hands—remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

Note that we do not have much control over this reconciliation.

Colossians 1:15-23: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

Note that we did not have to do anything. God did the reconciling with us and for us, through the sacrifice of his son.

Matthew 5:21-24:  “You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘You good-for-nothing,’ shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.

Romans 5:1-11: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Note that this is not about reconciling with friends or family—it is about reconciling with an enemy.

Romans 11:11-24:  I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their fulfillment be! But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, somehow I might move to jealousy my fellow countrymen and save some of them. For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

2 Corinthians 5:11-21: Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who take pride in appearance and not in heart. For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has [j]committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

How do these texts relate to our discussions of conflict resolution? We discussed the scriptural imperative of reconciling with one’s brother, and the process prescribed for achieving it. Do they help elucidate the meaning of treating some who will not be reconciled, as a last resort, as a gentile and tax collector?

Alice: Jesus came for the sake of the sinner. The metaphor of grafting branches onto an olive tree suggests that we are supposed to reconcile with others by including them in our forgiveness even if, or especially if, they are not Christians.

Don: I wonder to what extent reconciliation is a one or a two-way process? Reconciliation among humans (Matthew 18) seems to suggest it’s a two-way street, with something expected of both parties. But the passages Jason read show that reconciliation between god and ourselves is a one-way street, that god will reconcile with us regardless of whether we respond.

Jason: I wonder if there are then two types of reconciliation, or is one supposed to be taken as a model for the other?

Harry: Reconciliation can always be a one-way street—you can reconcile with someone even if they don’t respond. To put this in perspective, in the beginning, there was just one “tree” with two branches, or perhaps I should say a trunk and one branch: God and wo/man. There were no Jews then. They were grafted onto this tree later. As was everyone else. We have no ability to graft ourselves onto this tree—to reconcile ourselves with god; only he can graft us in. But what is typically taught is that we can reconcile ourselves with him through penance and other behavioral mechanisms and modification.

Don: Does this tie in to the passage that talks about asking and receiving, and one in Matthew 7 that says “Ask and ye shall receive.” The so-called Prosperity Gospel. But we know there are many whose prayers are not answered. But there is one question that will always be answered by god in the affirmative, through his grace: Can I be reconciled with you? Can I have your love, your grace, and your forgiveness? The reason you can count on its being answered is that it was answered once and for all time through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Robin: Two passages are relevant:

Matthew 18:19-20: “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them [u]by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

John 14:11-15: Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me; otherwise believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”

It seems to be that it is possible that Jesus is talking about spiritual things, not material things like health or wealth.

Alice: I am coming around to the notion that reconciliation is one-way, and that the onus to reconcile is on the one wronged, not on the person who did the wrong. This is precisely what Jesus did for us. Righteousness is not just about being and doing good: It’s about forgiving those who trespass against us. And the extraordinary thing is, it feels so liberating to do that.

Harry: I agree wholeheartedly. On the very cross, Jesus forgave and reconciled with those who killed him, and his crucifixion bestowed life on the world. His ministry in life, too, was essentially all about forgiveness and reconciliation. It was not about the form of religion, but about loving one’s neighbor.

Jason: The passage in Matthew 5 about putting human reconciliation ahead of worship at the altar attests to that.

Don: So does applying the Golden Rule expounded in Matthew 7:12: “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” This is a one-way effort. You should expect no quid pro quo. Whether your transgressor responds or not is immaterial.

Alice: Scripture tells us never to tire of this. We are to keep forgiving and forgiving, and never let up, no matter how bad the state of the world around us.

Jason: And that is not intuitive, and not easy, as the verse (Matthew 7:13) immediately following the Golden Rule clearly implies: “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”

Ada: Reconciliation is a central aspect of the Catholic mass. During communion, the priest says: “Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.” And then he exhorts everyone in the congregation: “Let us offer each other a sign of peace,” upon which the ministers and all the people exchange an embrace, handshake, or other appropriate gesture of peace with those near them, according to local custom. Once we receive the gift of peace, we are that much more ready to bestow it upon others—to reconcile with them in a one-way gesture.

[Michael and Jason exchanged remarks here, but the audio is too distorted to comprehend.—DE]

David: Off topic, I have been thinking about the verses in Matthew immediately prior to the verses about the Golden Rule:

Matthew 7:7-11: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!

Flicking through cable channels, I chanced upon a televangelist called Joel Osteen the other day. He was exhorting a rapt congregation in his stadium-sized church to pray for that bigger house they wanted and God would grant it. Someone mentioned earlier that such prayers are not always answered. I doubt they are ever answered. I don’t think god is in the business of bestowing new Mercedes Benz on request, but at the same time I fail to see how Osteen can be faulted for taking the words “Ask, and it shall be given to you” at their literal face value. I think god does respond to prayer, but only to a very specific kind of prayer, one that we may not even know we are uttering.

Don: I am not sure this is off-topic. I see some relationships to reconciliation, and we will return to this topic in a future meeting.

* * *