Sunday Preview: An Unexpected Path to Reconciliation
June 10th, 2014 | John Chandler
A prophet and poet named Isaiah once told a story about how God reacts to people who are known for their “sinful greed.” God says:
I was enraged by their sinful greed;
I punished them, and hid my face in anger,
yet they kept on in their willful ways.
I have seen their ways, but I will heal them;
I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,
creating praise on their lips.
Peace, peace, to those far and near,”
says the Lord. “And I will heal them.” (Isaiah 57)
Centuries later, the missionary Paul tried to describe who Jesus was and why he was important. His words sound familiar to anyone who remember Isaiah:
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
For he himself is our peace. (Ephesians 2)
In a world full of endless fractures and rivalries, Isaiah promised that God would heal us and bring peace. Now, Paul is claiming that peace has come.
And his name is Jesus.
We’ll talk about this unexpected path to reconciliation on Sunday.