Daily Lectionary: 1 Kings 9:1-9; 10:1-13; 2 Corinthians 5:1-21
“God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:19)
In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. 2 Corinthians 5 overflows with spiritual treasures! Paul begins by comparing our human bodies to tents. Tents are fun for a little while, but they aren’t a permanent home. They aren’t built to last. That is what happens to our bodies and that is why Christians “groan,” longing to be in our true heavenly home. As our bodies break down we are ever more mindful that real life awaits us as God intended it from the beginning. Life without pain and suffering, sorrow and tears. Life in heaven that never ends!
With this perspective, a Christian does not have to fear death. With Paul (and so many Christians through the ages) we can say, “I would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Of course, that choice is not ours to make. The Lord decides when our time is accomplished on this earth. Until that day, each of us is to make it our goal to be about the Lord’s business. For Paul, that meant being a missionary. For you it may mean something else entirely. Whatever callings you have, as son or daughter, sibling, friend, neighbor, classmate, employee, coworker, student, church member, citizen, God gives you opportunities to love and serve those He has placed around you. That is the best way to make use of the time God gives you before He calls you home.
In the final section of chapter 5 we find some of the most beautiful and clear Gospel words in all of the New Testament: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them.” And, “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Commit these words to memory. Recall them often! These words tell us how God saves us. The action is all from Him to us. The Father sends His Son; the Son gladly goes and takes our place as sinners. Though He is God, He becomes a man. In His suffering and death, He gets what we deserve so He can give us what we could never deserve: forgiveness of sins and life everlasting in heaven. It is a glorious exchange. Christ takes what is ours (sin and death) and gives us what is His (righteousness and life). And the result is perfect reconciliation with God that will never end. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
He undertakes a great exchange, Puts on our human frame, And in return gives us His realm, His glory and His name, His glory and His name. (“Let All Together Praise Our God” LSB 389, st.4)

Audio Reflections Speaker: Pastor Duane Bamsch