THE EXPERIENCE STUDY
The Age of Reconciliation
By Christopher Thompson
This year I sustained the most devastating loss of my entire life in the death of my mom. I had never been able to imagine what it would mean to live without my mom, and frankly, I never wanted to. Nevertheless, here we are having to contend with the unthinkable in real life. It’s with all of this in mind, that I have a newfound appreciation for the picture of family that we receive from Jesus in the scene of His suffering on the cross.
Read John 19:26-27
Jesus is quite literally in the process of dying, yet He pauses to ensure that the needs of His widowed mother will be cared for. We know that Mary was a widow, otherwise she would not have needed a surrogate.
Jesus is quite literally in the process of dying, yet He pauses to ensure that the needs of His widowed mother will be cared for. We know that Mary was a widow, otherwise she would not have needed a surrogate.
Study 1 Timothy 5:3-16
Have you ever conducted a Google search for all the references in Scripture to our responsibility to care for widows? Try it now. They are numerous. The text above, as do the others, show God’s priority here.
Have you ever conducted a Google search for all the references in Scripture to our responsibility to care for widows? Try it now. They are numerous. The text above, as do the others, show God’s priority here.
Reread John 19:26-27.
You may have missed it, but the directive of Jesus is two-fold. John must care for Mary. Yet, Mary must also care for John. Jesus knows that John will need comfort too.
You may have missed it, but the directive of Jesus is two-fold. John must care for Mary. Yet, Mary must also care for John. Jesus knows that John will need comfort too.
Compare John 8:29 with Matthew 27:46
Imagine the emotional anguish Jesus must have endured in feeling spiritually separated from the Father on the cross. Have you ever agonized about feeling distant from God?
Imagine the emotional anguish Jesus must have endured in feeling spiritually separated from the Father on the cross. Have you ever agonized about feeling distant from God?
Analyze Genesis 3:8-10
The text implies that it was common for God to come to the garden to visit and uncommon for Adam and Eve to be absent. What does this tell us about sin’s effect on God’s plan?
The text implies that it was common for God to come to the garden to visit and uncommon for Adam and Eve to be absent. What does this tell us about sin’s effect on God’s plan?
Compare Isaiah 1:2-3, John 1:12, 2 Corinthians 5:18, Malachi 4:6.
This is the age of reconciliation. Is there a parent or family member that you need to be reconciled with? Reconciliation is the result of the good work of the gospel.
This is the age of reconciliation. Is there a parent or family member that you need to be reconciled with? Reconciliation is the result of the good work of the gospel.
Read Revelation 21:3-5
In heaven, there will be no more brokenness, no more broken and strained relationships. All will be restored. Pray that God will begin to do the restorative work in you right now.
In heaven, there will be no more brokenness, no more broken and strained relationships. All will be restored. Pray that God will begin to do the restorative work in you right now.
CHRISTOPHER C. THOMPSON, D. MIN is an adjunct professor in the School of Religion and Theology at Oakwood University. He serves as the Executive Director of Thumbs Up, Inc., and pastor of Lighthouse Church in Beaufort, South Carolina.