And his sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the cave of Machpelah, in the field of Ephron the son of Zohar the Hittite, which is before Mamre; the field which Abraham purchased of the sons of Heth. . . . |
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Genesis 25:9–10 | ||
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We see Ishmael and Isaac brought together at the death of their father Abraham because true reconciliation can only happen through death.God reconciled us to Himself through His own death (2 Corinthians 5:18–19). Then, once we were reconciled, He gave us the ministry of reconciliation—to reconcile people to God as we share with them the good news of the gospel, and also to reconcile people to each other.So important is reconciliation to Jesus that He said something quite shocking: “If, while you are at the altar worshiping the Lord, you become aware that something is not quite right with someone you know or once knew, leave the altar and reconcile yourself to the one who is offended” (see Matthew 5:24). The Greek word translated “reconcile” is diallasso—a word used by tailors and garment-makers with regard to alteration. Thus, Jesus was saying, “If, at the altar, you realize a relationship doesn’t fit right, get it altered.” In other words, the ill-fitting garment is not to be discarded, taken to Goodwill, or stuffed in the back of the closet and forgotten. “If a relationship isn’t right,” Jesus declared, “I want you to deal with that matter before you continue to worship.”How will reconciliation happen practically? There’s only one way: someone has to die. If there’s to be reconciliation with your wife, your husband, your daughter-in-law, your boss, your coach, or your neighbor, you have to die.“I don’t want to die,” we protest. “How come she can’t die? It’s his turn to die. I’m sick and tired of dying. Why does it have to be me?”I recently met with dear friends. He’s been a pastor for years; she’s a godly woman with a passion for Jesus. But they’re on their way to divorce. And it’s a tragedy. There’s no real issue—just irritations that have grown over the years. Both argued their points, yet as the hours passed, all I could say was, “One of you has to die or there will be no reconciliation.” Their answer? “Why me? It’s his turn. It’s her turn.”Many couples drive to church in virtually the same situation. As the husband sits behind the wheel, his words are few, but his thoughts are many. “Why is she so cold?” he wonders. Meanwhile, as she sits on her side of the car, hugging the door handle, she thinks, “Why is he so demanding?”And the silence is deafening, broken only by the sounds of construction on the wall between them, which is growing higher and higher every day. They come to church and lift their hands in worship, but the Lord would say, “If you’re bringing your gift to the altar and you remember that he or she has something against you, don’t even continue worshiping until you alter the hurtful situation.”Why should you be the one to die? Three reasons . . . | ||
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