I’VE BEEN THINKING … about the word reconcile, especially the way St. Paul uses it in his letter to the Romans: “ … If while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his son, much more now that we are reconciled we will be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10). For Paul the designation “enemy” has been radically changed. We are no longer enemies but beloved, made safe here and now and in the future. We are reconciled by what happened on two definite days in history: Good Friday and Easter.
The word reconciliation, katalasso, used in Romans describes Jesus the redeemer who changes men and women while he remains unchanged as Son of God. This word translates as catalyst, which is used in chemistry to define a substance that precipitates change while it stays unchanged. On the cross Jesus disarmed sin and evil and even the power of death itself. His victory altered the course of history. Reconciliation is a vital clue to what has happened for and to all human beings on earth.
We know sin brings harm, is real and has its own power. Cruelty can lay hold of men and women with intoxicating temptation. The apparent finality of the power of death becomes a weapon of terror for individuals, marauders, mobs and even nations. But on Good Friday and Easter we witnessed that where harm increased in power, the living grace of God increased even more (Romans 5:20). Death itself has been disarmed of its finality. Death could not hold Jesus.
As we trust in this victory, we are entrusted with the assurance of reconciliation. Jesus explains the power of this assurance in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). He tells his disciples to stand in place with cheek exposed to the angry face of hostility, to love those who are considered as enemies, to pray for God’s forgiveness of one’s trespasses, and then to ask for strength to forgive those who trespass against them. He gives a strategy: “If you are on your way to make an offering at the altar of God and you remember that your brother has something against you, stop what you are doing and first go and be reconciled to your brother … ” (Matthew 5:24). Here, Jesus uses a combined Greek word, dialogos. Our word dialogue comes from this word. It means to talk through the issue that has put your relationship into jeopardy. While Jesus uses a word for reconciliation different from katalasso, the word in this passage depends upon the power of katalasso.
Jesus does not advise avoidance. He points to an immediate strategy: “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court; find a better thought with him while you are still on the way … ” (Matthew 5:25). The word here is eunoeo, meaning good thought. Jesus encourages us to talk through the crisis or offense that is causing harm and to find a better way that would be good for each: a better thought. Jesus treats the two opposing sides as each “on the way.” One focuses on an act of faith, another on seeking punishment. A positive outcome of healing for each will be found in the third way.
The best news in the Sermon on the Mount is the teacher who is Lord of the Grace that increased more. Knowing this power of God’s goodness is at the source of peacemaking that gives hope for people of goodwill. People, whether as individuals or as tribes or as nations, who are presently preoccupied with fear or who harbor grudges need to find that better way. The goodness of God’s love is that better thought. Reconciliation is that better way.
EARL PALMER is senior pastor emeritus at University Church in Seattle.
