“David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’”
2 Samuel 9:1
Dear HBIC Family,
Reconciliation rests in the heart of Christianity. We believe that, in Christ Jesus, we who were once far away have been brought near to God. Christ is our peace and through him we all have access to God our Father by the Holy Spirit. With the reconciliation that Christ affords us, we move from foreigners and strangers to citizens of the kingdom and God’s people who are members of God’s household.
In Christ, all of us who believe are reconciled and being built up together to be a dwelling in which God lives. Christ reconciles us and makes shalom possible again. Dennis Edwards defines sin as not only the evil thoughts and deeds that individuals commit, but also the pervasive power that damages and corrupt God’s creation. Sin breaks shalom between us and God, the rest of creation, one another and even ourselves. Christ makes reconciliation possible.
Shalom restored is harmonization. Shalom restored is making thing right. We are blessed to be called ambassadors of Christ. This blessing comes with an invitation to live and love like Christ lived and loved. God called Christ to reconcile all things. Christ’s life and love compels us to not only praise and thanksgiving, but also to a ministry of reconciliation. God desires that we are empowered by the Spirit, united together in Christ, and working to bring reconciliation to our world.
This week we will be continuing our Walking with God: A Journey Through Lent series by looking at 2 Samuel 9 and focusing on how God calls us as individuals and as a community to be reconcilers to each other and our world. To prepare for this week’s service, I would like to invite you to read and meditate on 2 Samuel 9. As you reflect, I would like to ask you to focus on the following questions:
What is reconciliation?
What is the significance of you being reconciled in Christ?
What is the greatest reconciliation, outside of Christ, that you have ever experienced?
How can you be an agent of reconciliation?
How can our church and your community be agents of reconciliation?
The story of David and Mephibosheth reminds us that reconciliation is possible. It reminds us that when things aren’t right, God compels us to use all that we are to help make things right. David chooses reconciliation because of his loyalty to God and his friend Jonathan. In so doing, he reminds us that we belong to God and each other.
Praise God our Father who reconciles and welcomes us back home again. Praise the Holy Spirit for leading us back to God and into our world as reconcilers. And praise our Lord Jesus Christ who will reconcile all things in heaven and on earth.
God bless you all, and take care.
Love in Christ,
Pastor Hank (2 Samuel 9:1)