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January 9

By January 9, 2019365 Devotions

Love after Loss

Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift (Matthew 5:24, KJV).

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-26

Song: “God! When Human Bonds Are Broken”

A number of years ago, I had the privilege of eating lunch with a scholar whom I greatly admired. Her work on stress, loss, and resilience was among the best in the country. During that lunch, she shared about her newest work which was focused on reconciliation. She had just spent considerable time working with women who had lost sons in the war between Bosnia and Herzegovina. My jaw fell open as I listened to her tell about bringing together mothers from each country to talk to each other and begin the process of healing and restoration.

Jesus likens the hurt we inflict on others, with words spoken in anger, to murder. Actions driven by anger, whether physical or verbal, hurt. They tear apart and destroy. Sinful behaviors rooted in anger have no place in the kingdom as Jesus presents it in the Sermon on the Mount. Rather, His vision is that forgiveness and reconciliation should characterize God’s kingdom.

Forgiveness and reconciliation can be experienced by everyone and offered by everyone. Those women in Bosnia and Herzegovina engaged in the process of healing even after experiencing the worst tragedies imaginable. Truly, in God’s kingdom, there is nothing that cannot be forgiven, healed, and made new in Christ.

Father, thank You that Your church is a place of reconciliation. Please help us be people who are quick to forgive and eager to love. In Christ our Savior, amen.

 

Jim Eichenberger

Author Jim Eichenberger

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