In Revelations 13:8, the ministry of reconciliation was established when Jesus, the lamb of God, was slain before the foundation of the earth. He continued his work of reconciliation as the word that was spoken to reconcile a chaotic world in Genesis 1: 1-6.
The same ministry of reconciliation in Genesis 3:21 was introduced as the lamb slain and the skin used to cover the nakedness of Adam and Eve in the garden. This same mission of reconciliation Jesus was extended to the earth when in John 1:1, He became flesh, dwelled among men and (John 1:29) he died on the cross to reconcile man back to his lost original state.
His ministry on earth was a holistic reconciliation. God gifted His Son in his mission of reconciliation to the church, and the church to the world. Jesus at the end of his mission delegated the ministry of reconciliation to the church to reach out to his broken world “…now then, we are ambassadors as though God were making His appeal through us. (2 Corinthian 5:18-20).
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
How important is “reconciliation” and “the ministry of reconciliation”? If it has been established before the foundation of the world, and if God is “pleading” and Christ is “imploring”, then it must be serious and very important. Indeed, the eternal destiny of one’s soul depends upon whether he or she has been reconciled to God!
Does this not move us? First to be reconciled with ourselves? Also with others? And then to participate in the ministry of reconciliation for the sake of others at all levels?
Jesus was clear about the principles of the ministry of reconciliation. As seen in Matthew 5:21-25, Hosea 6:6, Matthew 6:6, and Matthew 12:7, resolution of disagreement and restoring relationships are more important than any offering and religious practices.
This is so important that Jesus, in John 16:16, prayed for the Church to be one, “reconciled among themselves”.
This is the only way by which the world will know the Church has been sent on the same mission of reconciliation to them. In Act 2: 2-42, we, therefore, notice how seriously the disciples were committed to the principle of maintaining unity, how the holy spirit brought mighty works through them, and how God himself was adding to them daily.