Nehemiah 1:6-7
I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father’s family, have committed against you. We have acted very wickedly toward you. We have not obeyed the commands, decrees and laws you gave your servant Moses.
Nehemiah was not even probably born when the Israelite were taken into exile. But he identified himself with the sins of his father and forefathers, humbled himself and sought for God’s reconciliation with the nation. This is how Jesus got the world reconciled to God. Nehemiah here portrays the character of Jesus, who humbled Himself, made Himself a sacrifice for the sins of the world.
But how are we in times of conflicts?
Do we humble ourselves even when the opponent sin against us?
Jesus took the first step to reconcile even when the problem was with us, the opponents.
Do we take the first step in reconciliation?
Matthew 5:23-24We had a conflict with a friend’s family 15 years ago. The problem was with my friend’s father who hurt us badly with words and deeds. There was no communication between the families since then. My friend’s father passed away few years later.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
My friend after 15 years contacted me, I was very happy to hear from her after a long time. And the first word she spoke was “Please forgive us”. My friend didn’t make any mistake , but still, even after those many long years, she put herself in place of her father and implored me for forgiveness. I said “I don’t have anything against you”, but she replied “we as a family did that, please forgive us, pls say you are forgiven” ..It really moved my heart and made me to see the beauty of Christ living in her.
May the Lord help us to follow His footsteps, to humble ourselves even if the mistake is not with us, and to take the first step of reconciliation!
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