Information Related to "Reconciliation: A Vital Part of Christ's Message"
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A major theme of Christ's message is reconciliation. But how does reconciliation fit into God's plan for you and me? by Mark Mickelson |
Jesus Christ began His public ministry by declaring the gospel of the Kingdom of God to the people in Galilee. What He said and did during His 31/2-year ministry was so incredible that it just couldn't be ignored. Jesus called people to repentance and gave them hope. He gave them encouragement and healed their diseases. Even more, He possessed the power to forgive their sins.
Christ's countrymen were astonished that He spoke with such authority, and people excitedly crowded about Him everywhere He went. The popular response to His message was remarkable.
But His teachings weren't always warmly received. Sometimes they clashed with long-held traditions and ideas of men.
Part of His message, after all, was that all of mankind could be reconciled to God. Christ's own disciples were shocked to find Him talking with a Samaritan woman (John 4:27). Jesus had acknowledged to the woman that He was indeed the Messiah and that eternal life was available to all through Him (verses 10-14,25-26). He explained that salvation wasn't offered to the Jews only; it was extended to gentiles as well.
Some accepted this as great news, but others felt threatened by it. Some had fallen into exclusivism in their worship of God and were not about to share what they viewed as their God-given right with just anyone, and especially not with gentiles.
Some who heard Jesus preach the gospel in the synagogue in Nazareth became so angry when He brought up the subject of God's dealings with gentiles that they even tried to kill Him (Luke 4:24-29).
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