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ADVENT REFLECTION

Radical reconciliation is the theme for our reflection. Radical means a change or action that affects the fundamental nature or condition of a thing or a system. Reconciliation is the restoration of a broken or fractured relationship. Radical reconciliation is an action that has led to the restoration of an existing hostility or separation between two or more parties. In our reflection on Ephesians 2:11-22, we discover that Jesus‘ sacrifice or death on the cross brought about two radical reconciliations. These are horizontal and vertical radical reconciliation.

Jesus brought about a horizontal radical reconciliation in the fracture or hostile relationship that existed among human beings. The hostility was among the Israelites who were deemed to be God’s covenant or chosen people and the Gentiles who were referred to as the uncircumcision. Paul reminded the Ephesian who were Gentile Christians that “Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. “Ephesians 2:11-12”. However, the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross took away the hostility and made both the uncircumcision and circumcision united in Him. “But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility.” (Ephesians 2:13-16) The Jewish Christians and all Gentile Christians including we African Christians now belong to the commonwealth of believers known as the universal Church of Christ. Through the salvation of Christ, we are reconciled to one another and are now children of God. This is the meaning of horizontal radical reconciliation, something no one could do, not even the United Nations, except Jesus Christ!

Apart from the horizontal radical reconciliation, Jesus brought about a vertical radical reconciliation between God and humanity (all believers regardless of their race and tribe) Jesus’ sacrifice was the propitiation or atonement that removed the hostility that hitherto existed between sinful humanity and God. Jesus’ atoning sacrifice on the cross brought about a restoration of the vertical relationship or reconciliation of both the Jews and Gentiles on one side and God on the other side. Paul puts it this way, “And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near (Gentiles and Jews). For through him we both (Gentiles and Jews) have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him, you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:17-22)

In summary, the horizontal plus vertical radical reconciliation is equal to the Cross of Jesus or His sacrifice on the cross. In other words, without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, the cross is meaningless and there will not be a horizontal and vertical radical reconciliation and relationship. The Cross or crucifix always remind us of the immeasurable gift of salvation Jesus gave to us through His suffering and death on the cross. He brought peace to earth by reconciling humanity and also reconciling humanity to God. This was the most important aspect of Jesus’s first advent and without His birth, the reason for Christmas celebration, we would not have experienced the establishment of both the horizontal and vertical radical reconciliation and relationship. It is for this reason, the Angels said to the shepherds when Jesus was born, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” Luke 2:14. Shalom.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you for making us the beneficiaries of the Cross. May we continue to be agents of the ministry of reconciliation, reconciling our fellow human beings to one another and through the power of the Gospel reconciling the lost and perishing to God. Amen.