Jacob had robbed Esau of the Firstborn rights including his blessings. Esau even wanted to kill Jacob. (Genesis 27:41) Wisely, Rebekah sent Jacob far away to her brother Laban’s place. Jacob gets married there, has children, and returns to his home after twenty years. He was scared when he thought of his brother Esau, will he have the same anger and kill him? Is it possible to be reconciled, forgiven, and accepted? Jacob travails in prayer and sends a contingent of gifts to appease him. (Genesis 32:11; 13-20) Perhaps, Jacob thought paying back what he robbed could compensate for his deception. Yet, they embraced one another and wept, but did not live together. (Genesis 33:4)
Prodigal Son: In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the younger son wanted reconciliation with his father. He was willing to accept a downgraded status as a servant instead of being a son. Gracious father received him back as his son. (Luke 15: 11-32)
Estranged humanity: When Adam and Eve sinned against God by eating the forbidden fruit, they plunged all future generations into a broken relationship with God.
Reconciliation with God: Holy God can never be reconciled with sinful Man. Yes, the wages of Sin is death. God cannot compromise by not punishing sinners. Hence, the Son of God the Lord Jesus Christ incarnated in this world to take the wrath of God, the punishment of death on Himself. The Holy Son of God died on behalf of humanity, buried, rose again on the third day, and ascended to Heaven.
Initiative: God initiated the process of reconciliation. God is the innocent party in the estranged relationship, and the guilty party is humanity. Gracious God reconciled us to Himself, not by neglecting the holy justice. God’s holy demands were satisfied in the righteous sacrifice of the Son of God. (II Corinthians 5:18-20)
Ministry of reconciliation: The believers who are reconciled with God and justified by the blood of Jesus Christ are entrusted with the work of bringing sinful humans to be reconciled with God.
Am I an ambassador executing the Ministry of Reconciliation?