Reconciliation and Woe by Rev Bev

Reconciliation.

This is the great mission of God for God’s people from the beginning. It is seen in the covenant with Abraham, Moses, David, the interactions with the judges, the prophets, and even in the use of foreign kings for the purposes of God. Finally reconciliation is achieved and complete in Jesus Christ. Christ was, and is, and always will be the first and final word of God’s intention for God’s crea-tion—that we may be one as the Father and Son are one.

Reconciliation is our mission as we are called “ambassadors for Christ…be reconciled to God.”

When the leader of the US government says he wants to be friends with foreign leaders, we can easily agree this is a “good” goal. Mutual nuclear disarmament is a good goal. Mutual economic improve-ment and cooperation is a good goal. Mutual national alignments to check rogue nations who sponsor terrorism is a good goal. However, mutuality and vulnerability for cooperative goals is not the same as applause and acquiescence to evil power and corruption.

Jesus did not fight on the same terms as Rome; but, neither did he approve of their occupation and subjection of the people. Christ called out those he was sent to save, “Woe,” to the cities, “Woe,” to the scribes, “Woe,” to the Pharisees. Woe is a recurring caution, condemnation, and challenge to evil wherever it appears. God does not confuse mutual vulnerability with complimenting the power of evil-doers.
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Reconciliation, making friendships, does not mean submitting to evil as if it is good, right, or excusa-ble.

Therefore, as followers of Christ, it is our duty to engage our elected leaders to proclaim, “Woe,” to the powers of evil that murder their adversaries, that take over sovereign nations, that shoot down civilian aircraft just because they can, that poison people with chemical weapons en masse or one by one, that perform acts of cyber warfare against the citizens of democratic nations to disrupt their peaceful transitions of leadership.

Our long history of faith has always engaged with evil leaders to bring about justice and righteous-ness. It has always been addressed directly, and never couched in fake harmony for the sake of “making friends.” Though once regarded as a son, Moses did not go to Pharaoh as heir, but as an am-bassador of God and demanded that the slaves be freed. There were consequences with each refusal.

For the sake of non-violent resolution, John Calvin instructs us to provide a check on our own “kings” by elected leaders doing their divine duty when the kings are not protecting the people.

And our own Presbyterian heritage in the USA reminds us that the system of government we enjoy is meant to provide for the wisdom of all the people, the checks and balances on absolute power, and the protection of the people.

Christians—do your duty and call your representatives and senators and hold them to their oath of office. We, the people, must not let the cause of “friendship” make room for evil tyranny.

Ambassadors of God, it is time to go to work.

Peace,
Beverly