AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION

 

May 10, 2024

2 Corinthians 5:16-21



16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. 17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

AMBASSADORS OF RECONCILIATION

Paul stresses the word “reconciliation” in this final portion of 2 Corinthians 5. The Apostle’s message in these verses is that God brings the new creation into existence by sending his Son into the old creation to transform or “reconcile” it. “In Christ, God was rec­onciling the world to himself.” Not just one aspect of the world, but the whole world. And those who follow Christ, who are reconciled to God by Christ, are appointed to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18). We are agents to bring reconciliation to all areas of the world.

Paul highlights some of the key elements of the ministry of reconciliation for us in our reading today. Let us list some of these:


1. The ministry of reconciliation originates with God. God Himself, initiates the way of reconciliation. We respond.

2. The ministry of reconciliation is universally inclusive. The wonder of the Christian message is its universality. It has proven to satisfy the spiritual hunger of people from “every tribe and nation”, bringing the fullness of God to the need of every person.

3. The ministry of reconciliation is personally delivered. It is delivered by living, breathing men and women who speak from their own experience. Incarnation, the word become flesh, is God's way of truly communicating with people.

4. The ministry of reconciliation achieves the impossible. Here is the supreme glory of the new covenant. He who knew no sin, Jesus the Righteous One, was made (on the cross) to be sin on behalf of us, who knew no righteousness, in order that the righteousness of God might be forever ours!

LET US PRAY

God, Thank you, for the gift of reconciliation through Christ. We ask that you continue to equip us and use us in your redemptive mission as you graciously bring peace to those we encounter. We ask that you nourish our hearts daily with your word, and the Spirit’s presence, that we may live out the privilege of being your ambassadors. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.