Reconciliation is a journey. It takes each side to be ready for it. It takes a lot of mercy and a lot of courage. Reconciliation doesn`t leave room for our personal cry for justice. But it does leave room for mercy to truly triumph, freeing each individual from the past. Giving an opportunity to grow into the future.True reconciliation is at the heart of the Christian gospel. Jesus died on the cross and rose again to take the punishment for our sin. That was mercy. So that we can have a blank sheet again to be in relationship with God the Father. So that we could journey and develop in relationship with God.
Christians benefit from the reconciliation Jesus has given us. Without that, we simply couldn´t be close to God. We couldn´t be free from our past; both our sins and the situations where we have been sinned against. We would be trapped.
Reconciliation with God is one thing. But reconciliation with other people is a challenge for every believer. It`s a tough road and not one for cowards. But until reconciliation has taken place I believe that the grief from the wound remains intense. Even when forgiveness has taken place and people have learnt to "move on", they usually still carry grief until reconciliation happens.
As pastors, leaders, parents, Christians, we have a responsibility not just to help people find personal healing and wholeness at the foot of the Cross. We must also help them to come into a fullness of healing in their relationships with others. Reconciliation. Honesty, mercy, courage all in the right timing.
Jesus said: Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:24
