As we make our way to the end of the book of Mark, Jesus has set his face toward the cross. He will continue to move toward the cross until all is accomplished and we celebrate his glorious resurrection at Easter. So, as we move toward the end when Jesus died a criminal’s death, we want to ask this big question - “what did Jesus accomplish at the cross?” And what does this mean for us? To help us marvel at God’s kindness to us in Christ, we want to highlight some theological words that capture different aspects of the cross’ significance. The words in this brief series all end with “-TION.”
Today we’ll highlight RECONCILIATION (re-cun-sil-ee-ay-shun).
DEFINITION
The English word reconciliation is made up of two parts. The first part is the prefix “re” which means “again.” The second part is made from the core word “concile” meaning “together” or “gather.” This is where we get our word for “council” - a gathering of people for a purpose. So, reconcile means to bring people back together.
But, it’s not the same as simply being apart and then coming back together. It’s more than a physical reunion like a football team coming together for a huddle. Reconciliation carries the idea of coming back together after a season of strife and opposition. Wayne Grudem defines reconciliation as:
The removal of enmity and the restoration of fellowship between two parties
The definition is a little tricky because we don’t use the word “enmity” very often. However, “enmity” comes from the same root as the word “enemy.” So, “enmity” is something that drives a relational wedge between the two parties and they, in effect, become enemies. For reconciliation to happen, the enmity must be removed and then the fellowship must be restored.
EXAMPLES
I am reminded of playing with magnets as a kid. Perhaps you’ve tried the experiment of pushing two magnets together with opposite charges? Though it may be invisible, there is a rift between those two magnets. Getting them physically close to one another does not actually connect them. There is enmity between them. However, if one flips over, it makes all the difference. The invisible forcefield is removed and they snap together. In a similar way, reconciliation requires both the removal of the relational barrier in order for true reconnection to be possible.
We often use the idea of reconciliation in marriage conflicts when couples need to work through tough issues in order to come back into a right relationship with one another. It is not enough for a seething couple to simply sleep in the same bed night after night. Physical proximity does not necessarily mean relational proximity. There is relational repulsion like opposite magnets. The enmity must first be removed before they can be brought back into fellowship with one another.
RECONCILIATION IN THE BIBLE
So, where do we see this in the bible?
Well, there are numerous examples of reconciliation. Take a look at Matthew 5:23-24:
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
In this case, the person who has offended another takes the initiative to approach the person in order that the offense might be dealt with and the relationship restored. Notice how important the relationship is! The worshiper is actually commanded to postpone his worship in order to prioritize reconciling a relationship.
This is consistent with other teaching throughout the bible. In fact, the basis for reconciliation with other people is rooted in the gospel. Have you ever considered the way that Jesus forgave people of their sins during his earthly ministry? C.S. Lewis once observed:
“Jesus told people that their sins were forgiven, and never waited to consult all the other people whom their sins had undoubtedly injured. He unhesitatingly behaved as if He was the party chiefly concerned, the person chiefly offended in all offences.”
Jesus could take initiative to forgive sins without consultation because he spoke for the primary recipient of the offense - God. He was proactively dislodging the enmity between sinful people and a holy God.
This, of course, is the primary issue. Our greatest problem does not consist of enmity between fellow sinners. Our greatest problem is our sin causing enmity with God. Pastor Tony Carter summarizes the situation well:
“When Adam and Eve sinned in the garden of Eden, they not only rebelled against God; they also betrayed his goodness and denounced his rule. It was the ultimate act of treason. Adam and Eve turned God into the enemy as they surrendered themselves and the world to sin. By doing so, they created an enmity between them and God, and passed that enmity to all who would come after them. The apostle Paul tells us that in Adam we all sinned, and therefore we were all made enemies of God.
Consequently, in order for anyone to be in right relationship with God, the enmity must be removed. The relationship must be reconciled. What Adam and Eve lost in the garden must be mended and restored. When the Bible speaks of reconciliation, this is the primary meaning. Salvation is God ending the enmity between himself and us through the life and death of Jesus Christ.
Reconciliation is that aspect of the gospel where the separation and enmity between God and humanity caused by sin are ended, and peace and renewed relationship are forever established, through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The message and ministry of the gospel is the message and ministry of reconciliation.”
Romans 5:10 captures the work of Christ on behalf of sinners:
For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.
God “flipped the magnet over” by sending Christ to die on our behalf. Through Christ, God made it possible for us to be forgiven of our sin - removing enmity - and restored into fellowship with God.
OUR RESPONSE TO RECONCILIATION
Being reconciled to other people is not unimportant - as we have already seen in the example of the worshiper being commanded to reconcile with his brother. However, being reconciled to God is primary. But now, the reconciliation that brought us peace with God becomes the basis for our reconciliation with each other.
This is what 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 teaches:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Not only have we been granted the wonderful grace of being reconciled to God, but we also have the joy of inviting others to experience the same reconciliation. The basis of the invitation is Christ’s work at the cross. He took on our sin who knew no sin in order that we might receive his righteousness!
Once again, it would serve us well to read Tony Carter’s call for us to live in response to this glorious truth:
The principle of the Bible is consistent: that which God offers to us, he commands us to offer to others. We who have been forgiven must in turn forgive (Colossians 3:13). We who have received mercy are commanded to be merciful (Matthew 5:7). We who are the objects of God’s love are to love others in return (1 John 4:11). And we who have been reconciled to God now must be instruments of reconciliation