Like the Psalmist David, there are many who lament as they
remember the sins of their youth (And
let’s not forget the sins of last week.) Something internal tells us that
God was not pleased with our selfish choices.
We lament at the ways that we
were weakened and scarred. We regret the hurts and disconnect that we caused.
Extend the lament to community and nation and our sorrows
increase. For instance, how did our ancestors legitimize the genocidal
practices and abuse toward the First Nations people? The Truth and
Reconciliation Commission of Canada[i]
has been at work to find answers for the widespread abuse in the previous
century’s residential schools sanctioned by the Churches.
Jesus is all about reconciliation. For all that is damaged
and broken, God came to restore and set right. Even when the abusers were
supposed to be God’s representatives, the gospel has power to judge and heal. That’s
right—the gospel is also a message of judgment against all that’s wrong in us
and in the world.
Still, our reconciliation with God is conditional on our
willingness to be reconciled. In an age where we expect that a good set of
personal rules will always keep us happy, safe and improving the gospel calls
us to a greater good than personal well being. The gospel message says, ‘Nonsense! You cannot save yourself. You
need God’s help to get over yourself. Humble yourself before God and let His
Son save you.’ It is a reconciliation message that extends to the worst of
our suffering and unanswerable dilemmas.
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