Big Words, Big Meanings
God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19
Sometimes you will be reading a familiar passage or singing a familiar hymn when all of sudden, something new dawns on you that makes you appreciate it all the more. That happened to me a few Christmases ago while we were singing “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” during a Christmas service. The line comes from the first stanza: “God and sinners reconciled!” That lone line tells us why His birth was necessary and why it is so special—He was to be the reconciliation between God and man.
The big words we have looked at this week have been rooted in the Old Testament promises that found their fulfillment in Jesus. “Reconciliation” is no different. We had innumerable trespasses stacked up against us. If we go back to that divine courtroom and look at the evidence against us, we would see truckloads of incriminating evidence. We were at enmity with God, meaning, we were His enemies. There was no troubled relationship between God and fallen humanity because there was no relationship at all.
The cross of Jesus mended the gap between God and us. With each drop of blood, with each labored breath, with each minute that passed when Jesus suffered separation from the Father, the price was paid and the bridge built up. By no work of our own did we earn this. Jesus took hold of us and brought us to Him.
Now the word of reconciliation is given to us. In it we find our purpose and being. In it we find the words to share with those still wandering in the dark. God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. God and sinners have truly been reconciled at last. Thanks be to Christ for restoring that relationship with our Father!
Christ, the Victim undefiled; Alleluia!
God and man hath reconciled; Alleluia!
While in strange and awefull strife; Alleluia!
Met together Death and Life. Alleluia!
The Lutheran Hymnal 191:3