The Ministry of Reconciliation

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Service Date: 3.30.25
Sermon:

As we continue in the Lenten season, we are going to take some time to reflect on Jesus’
ministry that led to Jesus taking up his cross. In this passage, we are focusing on the
reconciliation, and the new life, that Jesus provides through the work of the cross.

In most sermons and messages that I’ve heard, this new life that we receive is an exchange. It
is commonly believed that God brings us back to himself (reconciles us) by blotting out our
sins and making us righteous. When we trust in Christ, we are no longer strangers or
foreigners to God. We have been reconciled to God, and we have the privilege to encourage
others to do the same.

When we trust in God, we make a wonderful exchange, our sin for his righteousness.
According to Romans 3:25, Christ bore the punishment for our sins on our behalf. It is
believed thar God poured all our sin on Christ at his crucifixion, and he poured all of Christ’s
righteousness into us at our conversion.

While I believe there is plenty written in the Bible to hold this believe, I don’t believe that
there is any evidence outside of the Bible to consider this 100 percent true. But here’s what I
believe can be taken away from this scripture:

Jesus was facing an extremely harsh punishment based on the cries of the fanatic crowd.
Many of the accusation against Jesus seemed to be word of mouth. There was no evidence to
prove that Jesus had done anything wrong. Yet he faced the cross.

Even in the midst of that punishment, Jesus remained calm and showed love to those that
accused him of crime worthy of death.

I have heard it taught that Jesus’ work on the cross not only breaks us sin and frees us
spiritually, but the work of the cross is also Christ’s way of displaying the love that we are
called to show the world. The fact that Jesus, an innocent man who lived poor was sent to the
cross uncovered the corruption of the society of the time.

Yet, Christ was willing forgive and express love towards those that hung him on the cross
shows the love that we are asked to show. The work of the cross shows us the corruption of
the world and Christ’s willingness to forgive shows us the love that Jesus is asking us to
display.

So, what do we do with this? Most likely we are going to face the death penalty for a crime
we did not do, but we might have our character questioned and our reputation under review.
If we are following the example that Jesus gives, we will remain calm, show love and offer
forgiveness. I believe that is how we will bring reconciliation to our broken relationships.

​ What I believe is happening here on a spiritual level is: The Holy Spirit gives us a new life,
and we are not the same person anymore. We are reformed, rehabilitated, or reeducated-we
are recreated, new creations living in vital union with Christ.

Conclusion: Let us be people who reconcile ourselves with God and encourage others to do
the same.