Reconciliation
Jesus is on the cross. His mother is standing close by. The youngest of the apostles is also near. Jesus, probably with the most affectionate tone he could muster due to the agony of crucifixion, tells His mother, "Dear woman, here is your son", and to the disciples, "Here is your mother." From that time on this disciple took her into his home [John 19:26-27]. That disciple was John.
At the beginning of Jesus' ministry His family and His disciples were together. They were at the wedding in Cana. They were together in Capernaum. Everyone was a happy camper. Then in John chapter 7 we see a little bit of tension between the disciples and Jesus' family. Here is the interaction between Jesus and His brothers ~ Jesus’ brothers said to Him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. Beth Moore states,"I think the unbelief of the brothers had raised a wall of hostility between them [the brothers] and the disciples."
On the cross, God was in Christ reconciling Himself to the world. He started by reconciling those who were closest to Him - His disciples and His family. His brothers later believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Two of His brothers, James and Jude, wrote letters to the churches. These letters are in the New Testament for us to read.
We, too, are called to reconciliation. This is our ministry. Christ is making His appeal through us: Be reconciled to God. While we do this we must be reconciled to others because we are called not to keeps a record of wrongs done to us [1 Corinthians 13:5].
At the beginning of Jesus' ministry His family and His disciples were together. They were at the wedding in Cana. They were together in Capernaum. Everyone was a happy camper. Then in John chapter 7 we see a little bit of tension between the disciples and Jesus' family. Here is the interaction between Jesus and His brothers ~ Jesus’ brothers said to Him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” For even his own brothers did not believe in him. Beth Moore states,"I think the unbelief of the brothers had raised a wall of hostility between them [the brothers] and the disciples."
On the cross, God was in Christ reconciling Himself to the world. He started by reconciling those who were closest to Him - His disciples and His family. His brothers later believed that Jesus was the Messiah. Two of His brothers, James and Jude, wrote letters to the churches. These letters are in the New Testament for us to read.
We, too, are called to reconciliation. This is our ministry. Christ is making His appeal through us: Be reconciled to God. While we do this we must be reconciled to others because we are called not to keeps a record of wrongs done to us [1 Corinthians 13:5].
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