In Luke’s Gospel Jesus addresses the hard issue of disagreement with an adversary.
We all have those moments, at least I do, when I am convinced that I am right and my opponent is utterly wrong. This can escalate, sometimes even to legal matters, requiring not just a mediation, but a definitive judgment.
In summary, Luke 12:57-59, Jesus prompts us to get it sorted out even on the way to the magistrate. You see the magistrate may decide to take you before the judge, who then may decide you are at fault, and will turn you over to the officer to be hauled to jail until your debt or fine is paid!
Inherent in this teaching is a key question regarding reconciliation. “What if I am wrong?” Reconciliation refers more to a restoration of relationship than to a demonstration of who is right and wrong. Can I own my part in this disagreement? Am I willing to determine that our relationship is more important than this disagreement, more important than my opinion or understanding of the circumstances?
This is a question of humility. A humble heart is one that searches within, evaluates itself and is alert to feelings. Emotions are a wonderful gift from God, but they are marred by our sin and brokenness. Emotions are essentially a gauge, not unlike an oil pressure or temperature gauge on our vehicle. It tells us something is happening, but not always the source of the problem. Some of us don’t have gauges, just the yellow or red warning light that starts to flash! Some perpetually have their ‘check engine’ light on. Something is just not right within, which can lead us into troubles and disagreements in our relationships with others.
It has been quite a season of challenges, surrounded by polarized views, opinions, thoughts and feelings. As we begin to move out of this season and work toward a ‘new’ normal (is normal ever static?) we may find that some of our relationships are fragile, challenged and/or strained. What can reconciliation, renewal of relationships look like? Is it even possible? Am I ready to ask myself if I have been wrong or done wrong? To consider if I have acted on the emotional gauges without investigating why they are off? To weigh the value of the relationship as more than my being proved right?
Reconciliation can be a difficult path. It may not always be possible, but we can own our part, seek to learn from it and better all our relationships. Ultimately we want to seek reconciliation with God, owning our part, our sin, in that broken relationship, and acknowledging that Jesus came to pay the cost of the gap on our behalf, then receiving that gift of a restored relationship.
We each will face a day of judgment, we need to decide along the way if we will make our peace with Jesus, which will affect our relationship here on earth, making restoration and reconciliation more attainable.
