Reconciliation

Finished the scriptures readings this week for Disciple. As I mentioned, the theme is atonement, and there are many passages about sacrifices and offerings. One of the purposes of the sacrifices was to create reconciliation instead of retribution.

Sometimes, I think we would rather have retribution.

Sometimes, we even relish the idea that Christ will be victorious, that God's side will eventually win. "Ah hah! The time will come will those bad guys will get theirs!" We enjoy the thought.

I was reading Barkley's commentary about the book of Hebrews yesterday, in preparation for a sermon (maybe -- I mean, yes, there will be a sermon; it might be based in Hebrews). He said that God will be victorious. His victory will come, not in power -- not in "getting that bad guys," but in love. Those who work against him will come to love him -- and he will embrace them.

He's get them, but he'll get them to reach out to him in love.

Radical thought. Retribution? No. Victory? Yes. Reconciliation.