The Tree Church Daily

Matthew 8:1-4 (NKJV)

When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Explanation:

Are you desperate to see God move in a mighty way? Let me suggest doing what this leper did and “come boldly before the throne of grace…and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). The leper so revered and believed in Jesus that he didn’t even ask Jesus to heal him, he simply stated his confidence in Jesus’s ability to heal him.

This leper was demonstrating child-like faith. He had no prospect of healing by any other means, no possessions to offer as payment, and no power to end his isolation from society. Jesus says such simple faith is a necessary condition of salvation (Matthew 18:3), and we certainly trust that He answered that prayer when we prayed it. For what reason wouldn’t we believe that God hears and answers all other requests we make in accordance with His will?

Contrast this story with Mark 6:1-6, where the unbelief in Jesus’s hometown stifled His ministry. I am not suggesting that God will bring physical healing to everyone who prays for it; we know that isn’t true, nor does the Bible teach that. I am challenging us, as Christ followers, to exhibit the simple faith of this leper—a faith that declares we are going straight to the Source, the only One who can help us, and we are going to trust that His response to our prayers is exactly what we need.

Application:

1. This story highlights two pillars of the Christian faith: Jesus stands ready and willing to answer our prayers, and He rewards child-like faith. What are some challenges you have faced in trusting Jesus for your everyday needs?

2. Child-like faith is a sincere belief that God knows what is best for each of us and a willingness to accept His answer to our prayers. Have you ever prayed for something and had God answer in a way different than you had asked? Was that disappointing? How did you come to terms with His answer?

3. Faith is certainly necessary when it comes to prayer. But it is not the amount of faith we have, but WHO we have faith in that determines the outcome of our prayers (Luke 17:5-6). Have you been looking to other sources to take care of your needs?

4. At times, there are things that stand in the way of us looking to Christ to come through for us. Are there things in your life that are causing you to distrust God? Are they keeping you from going to Him with your needs?

Devo Plus:

Read Matthew 8:5-13 and 9:18-22 for other examples of bold, yet child-like faith that Jesus rewarded.

Prayer:

Ask God to reveal if there is anything standing between you and God’s response to your prayers.

Luke 17:11-19 (ESV)

On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

Explanation:

This week, we are focusing on Jesus’s interaction with the leper community. These were men and women who were cast out of society because of a various number of skin conditions and ailments. Any person at any given time could contract one of these ailments, and they were restored to a status of ritual cleanliness when the condition passed and a priest deemed them clean. For those that the condition persisted, it created an unending separation from the rest of the nation. This was seen as a judgment on them, and they were cast out.

In today’s passage, Jesus has a group of ten lepers asking Him to do something about their condition. Jesus does not declare them healed; He does not declare them clean. He simply tells them to go and show themselves to the priest again. On their way, one notices that he was healed, and decides to go back to thank Jesus and worship Him. He recognized that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Luke makes it a special point to tell us that the one who returned was a Samaritan, an enemy of the Jews, a foreigner, an outsider. Luke’s point is this. Even in the midst of a miracle that was life changing, it was not an Israelite who worshiped Jesus, but a Samaritan. The Israelites should have worshiped the most. They were separated from partaking in the worship of God because of their condition. The Samaritan would have been considered perpetually unclean, even if he did not have leprosy. Yet it was the Samaritan who recognized Jesus and came near to worship. Jesus praised the Samaritan for having a soft heart and open eyes to recognize who Jesus was, and what Jesus had done for him.

The challenge for us is this. Do we, who should know Jesus and His work the most, fail to see Him the best? Are we so infatuated with the outcome of our prayers that we stop looking to the One to whom we pray? I find it easy at times to do this. But let us have open eyes to see the way Jesus moves in our lives, and let us always return in praise.

Application:

1. What is something that stood out to you in today’s passage?

2. Has God done something in your life recently that would elicit praise?

3. Was that your response? Is there something keeping you from responding in worship right now?

Devo Plus:

Learn more about the impurity laws of Leviticus by watching this video by The Bible Project.

Prayer:

Jesus, help us to see You. Help us to see when You do something in our lives, and let us draw near to You. You made the way, You cleansed us, You declare us pure. May we always respond with praise and a deeper love for You. Amen.

Mark 1:40-42 (ESV)

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

Explanation:

Leprosy is a disease that is still around today, although thanks to the help of modern medicine, people who have it today can be treated. In the time when Jesus walked the earth, leprosy was a disease that would cause a person to be completely ostracized by their family, friends, and community. They were considered “unclean,” likely because of the growths, discoloration, thickening, and patchy appearance it caused to those afflicted. It was feared at that time to be highly contagious, and transmitted through casual contact like shaking hands or sitting next to someone. (That, too, has been proven false, but 2000 years ago, people had no way of knowing.)

In this story, the man who we only know as “a leper” approached Jesus and asked for healing “if you will.” He didn’t spend time talking about his affliction or how horrible it made life for him. He simply put 100% of his faith in Jesus and said “If you are willing.” We know from reading more of this story that the man went and told everyone that Jesus healed him, and many people heard the good news of Jesus as a result.

I have a confession to make. I’m not always willing. I could have totally looked past a leper needing me to show them Jesus, because I was too consumed with myself. If God chooses to be approachable to all of us, shouldn’t I be willing to step outside myself and look for opportunities to be their connection to Jesus, even if I’m “not feeling it?” Jesus embraced the most unworthy in His culture. He modeled the behavior for us to follow. What if Jesus told me that He’s “not feeling it” when I go to Him with my needs? Fortunately, He’s never done that, and never will. Now it’s my turn to do my part.

Application:

1. What does the word “willing” mean to you?

2. Are there places in your life where you can be more willing to help others?

3. Who are the “lepers” in our culture today? What can you do to make them feel worthy?

Prayer:

Today, as you reflect on the leper’s story, ask God to help you define “willing” in your daily walk.

Devo Plus:

Google the song (or at least the lyrics to) “Available” by Elevation Worship. As you meditate on the lyrics, reflect on today’s devotion and how God can work through your willingness.

Leviticus 13:45-46 (ESV)

“The leprous person who has the disease shall wear torn clothes and let the hair of his head hang loose, and he shall cover his upper lip and cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean.’ He shall remain unclean as long as he has the disease. He is unclean. He shall live alone. His dwelling shall be outside the camp.”

Explanation:

According to the IVP Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentatuech, leprosy was not the disease we know today as leprosy (Hansen’s Disease). Rather, the leprous diseases defined in Leviticus 13 were general skin conditions that one could have for a short period of time or a long period of time. The cases of prolonged infection would warrant a decision by the priest to cast the leper out of the camp. God’s commands concerning leprosy surrounded the high demand for ritual purity, and the separation between the “common” and the “sacred.” So, it was not always that the leper was biologically infectious, but their ritual impurity was. God’s demand for the Israelites to recognize the difference between the common and the sacred (both the sanctuary of the Tabernacle and the camp of Israel were considered sacred) required the “unclean” not to spread throughout the camp.

These ritual purity laws would affect everyone in the camp at some time or other, but God had always given them a way back toward purity. It was the prolonged cases that shame, separation, and judgment would scar for a lifetime. These would be the ones forgotten, forbidden from mixing with their families, friends, fellow countrymen, and God. It was these who Jesus would come to rescue, and remind them that God had not forgotten them. Before Jesus, it was impurity that was spread, not purity. But in Jesus, it was the opposite. His purity came into contact with the untouchable, and instead of their impurity spreading to Jesus, He took their impurity and gave them His purity. This is what Jesus came to do for all of us, spotted and stained as we are.

Application:

1. What is one thing you learned from today’s passage?

2. Have you ever felt “cast out” and forgotten? How did that make you feel?

3. Has shame ever kept you from turning to God?

4. What does it mean to you that Jesus was willing to meet you in that shame?

Devo Plus:

Read all of Leviticus 13 and 14 to get a better understanding of the purity laws God gave to Israel. Keep in mind the idea of “common” and “sacred.”

Prayer:

Father, we all have impurity in our lives that should keep us from You. Yet you came to us. You reached out to us. You touched our lives when we could do nothing to remove our impurity. Thank You for Your compassion, Your faithfulness, and Your graciousness!

1 Timothy 1:15-17 (NLT)

This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.

Explanation:

Paul is writing this letter to his companion Timothy. What he is about to say is not only trustworthy, because of the records of it, but also something for all to accept. Jesus left His throne in heaven, came to earth, and became like us, with the purpose to save sinners. But Paul doesn’t stop there. Paul declares that he is the worst sinner of all, and he desperately needed a Savior to rescue him. What he is recognizing is that we all sin, we all mess up, no one is perfect. Yet, God still chooses to extend grace, mercy, and forgiveness to us. We don’t deserve it, but God freely gives it to us anyway. Paul then encourages all of us to show this same grace and mercy to others. By showing others grace and love when they mess up, we are not only an example to them, but could possibly lead them to believe in the name of Jesus.

I have seen this play out in my own life. A few years ago, my husband and I had to walk through the process of reconciliation. Some things had happened that left me feeling hurt and betrayed. I was very hurt, I was very wounded, and there were many days I wanted him to experience the exact pain I was experiencing because of his actions. But every single time I would get in the presence of God, He would remind me of all the things He had graciously forgiven me for. I realized in that moment it is much easier to extend grace and mercy to others when you recognize how often God extends that same grace and mercy to you. Because I made the decision to extend grace and forgiveness, I was able to shower my husband with God’s love and to be an example to others. And now, God is using our story to help others for a greater good.

I know it is not easy to extend grace and forgiveness to others when they wrong us, when they hurt us, when they betray us, but when you remember the mercy that has been extended to you…it makes it easier. So today, if someone wrongs you, if someone upsets you, make the choice to extend mercy to them. It truly is one of the best ways to share the love of Christ with others. The world says to get them back, but God says, “Don’t forget I have forgiven you, and need you to share that same forgiveness with others.”

Application:

1. Is there someone in your life who has caused you pain or grief?

2. What is holding you back from extending grace and mercy to them?

3. How does recognizing your own faults and failures help you extend grace to others?

4. What do you need to do or change today to begin to forgive and show mercy to the person who has hurt you?

Devo Plus:

Today, I encourage you to spend some time in prayer. Ask God to show you areas where He has poured out His grace and mercy in your life. Then take time to pray, and ask Him to help you extend that same grace to those who have caused you pain. I even encourage you to call that person, and personally begin the process of extending grace to them.

Prayer:

Jesus, first we thank You. We thank You for the fact that You came to the earth to save us. We recognize that we all mess up. We all do things to cause hurt and pain to others. We all are in need of your saving grace and mercy. As we receive and accept Your mercy, will You help us to extend that same mercy to others? And as we extend grace and mercy to others, we pray that they will see You. We want to be more like You, Jesus. Will You please help us today? Amen.

Luke 6:37-38, 41-42 (ESV)

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.

Explanation:

When Paul talks about God’s word being “living and active” and “piercing,” helping us in “discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12-13), I find myself experiencing just that when I read these verses. When Jesus exposes an unfair “measure” or standard that I use when judging others, I instantly start to evaluate all the ways how I view others. I start to examine why my heart would view others the way I do. I instantly feel convicted that I can expect others to act or think a certain way, yet not judge myself by that very same standard.

Sometimes, I can be very quick to judge a person’s abilities or reasonings, or even worse, condemn them for the way they act or think. However, when I think or act in a similar fashion, I expect others to give me grace. Yikes! I can do this without even considering how Christ sees them. I am realizing more and more that on the other side of my judgment and condemnation lies a person, a person dearly loved by God, who, like me, needs the grace of God in their lives. Furthermore, whatever “measure” I choose to use to measure their worth, value, purpose, etc., is downright wicked in comparison to the perfect measure found in Christ.

I have been pardoned and forgiven for an astronomical amount of sin, and God chose to judge me through the blood of Christ. Anyone else I encounter in this life has also been given that same grace. How wrong it is for me to choose another measure, when the Almighty God says grace is what’s best. My best judgments of others come when I am fully viewing them through the lens of Christ. When my log is gone. Then, and only then, am I aligned with the Father’s heart. Then, and only then, should I seek God and determine what my role is in making a judgment of them. My friends, we must all consider Christ before we choose to inappropriately judge someone. Keep in mind that in Christ, there is now “no condemnation” (Romans 8:1, emphasis added). None whatsoever. Don’t condemn people when Christ hasn’t given you that right.

Application:

1. When you allow the Holy Spirit to speak to your heart through today’s reading, where do you find yourself judging or condemning others in an un-Christlike way?

2. How can viewing your relationship with God, and the way He views you, give you a new way of viewing others?

3. Who do you find yourself often judging, condemning, or not forgiving? Why do you think you judge and condemn them?

Devo Plus:

Write out two verses in scripture that communicate how God now views us through Christ.

Prayer:

Jesus, Your words truly are living and active. Thank You for showing us a better way to live. We need Your forgiveness for the times when we have wrongly judged or condemned someone. We want to view others with the love and grace that You do. We need Your Holy Spirit to soften our hearts and help us see the log in our own eye, and repent. Holy Spirit, thank You for making Yourself available to us and making us new creations.

Matthew 5:21-24

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Explanation:

In this passage, Jesus is addressing how the sins of our heart can be as damaging as the sin we act out. The group he was speaking to would have considered murder an obvious sin. They may not have considered, however, that the anger in their hearts was just as serious. In James 1:20, James tells us that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. The anger of our heart (and at times other emotions), if left unaddressed, can lead us to sin. We must see the importance of looking at the state of our heart, and realize the impact it has on our relationship with God and others.

We see Jesus address this as we continue on with the verses above. He states the importance of having a humble heart and reconciling with others before offering a gift on the altar. During the time when Jesus is speaking, people would travel long distances to the temple in Jerusalem to make a sacrifice to God. Imagine they have made all the necessary arrangements to do this, and as they are about to make the sacrifice, they remember an offense they’ve done to someone. In this passage, Jesus is saying to leave your gift at the altar and go reconcile with your brother. Seems inconvenient, right?! Jesus is illustrating the importance of how He views the state of our heart and our relationships with others. We must do what is necessary to have pure hearts of reconciliation.

I know in my own life, I’ve “built a case” against others in my mind, and it has affected the state of my heart toward them. In turn, that affects the state of my heart toward God. We must be purposed not to allow the bitterness in our hearts to continue, but confess it to God and pursue reconciliation with others.

Application:

1. Take several minutes to think about the state of your heart. Do you have any emotions that are sinful, or could lead to sin, that need to be addressed?

2. Do you have any bitterness in your heart toward others that you need to confess to God? If yes, confess it now and receive God’s forgiveness.

3. Do you have any bitterness (or other emotions that could lead to sin) that you need to address with someone else? If yes, pray for a heart of reconciliation with others.

4. Make a plan of action to talk to the person, with a humble heart, that you need to reconcile with. This is not an easy step, but with God it is possible!

Devo Plus:

I want to encourage you to be purposed to spend time in prayer today, asking God to search your heart and show you anything that He desires to change. It’s easy to get busy with life and neglect spending time in God’s presence. If we are faithful to seek Him, God will always be faithful to guide us.

Prayer:

God, You know the state of our hearts. You are aware of the hurts and emotions that we have faced, and may be preventing us from forgiving others. Help us to surrender those emotions to You. Please give us the strength we need to forgive others, and to be able to experience more of You in our lives. Thank You for teaching us and walking through life with us.

Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT)

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Explanation:

I have a little bit of a fascination with stylish people. I am intrigued when I see one. You know the kind. Male or female, they make you look. They have the “it” factor and look pulled together. To me, it speaks of a sharpness, thought, and confidence. Did you know God wants us all to be stylish spiritually? He wants us to be clothed in such a way with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience that people notice. They take a look, because it stands out. To live a vogue life in Christ, we all must grasp the reality that we are “chosen.” Think of that word. Chosen. It is so full of love, warmth, and belonging. It fills us with security to know Jesus chose us to be His. Only a chosen person has the confidence to face life...God’s way.

Remember, He chose us at our worst (Romans 5), and He is making this clothing FOR us. He is clothing us in all of these beautiful attributes as we draw close to His heart. The closer we get, the more aware of His love and forgiveness we become, which produces in us grace and forgiveness of others. It’s so amazing how God continually forgives and blesses us, forgives and blesses us, forgives and blesses us… Why would we ever struggle forgiving others when He has so rabidly forgiven us?

Application:

1. Why do you think love binds people together?

2. When you think of being drawn to versus being legislated to, which sounds more inviting? Which is more effective: drawing people to Christ by our manner and way, or legislating ultimatums regarding sin? God wants to make us appealing and welcoming to the world, as His representatives.

3. When we clothe ourselves in the virtues of tenderhearted mercy, we are always cognizant of the failures God has forgiven us of, and our default becomes forgiveness. What a full, free, and fashionable life forgiveness offers.

4. Do you think you “make people look” by your responses? Good pondering question, right?

Devo Plus:

Romans 5:1-2 (NLT)

Prayer:

Lord, You are lovely. I want to be known as a lovely person. For that to happen, I have to actually be lovely. Help me. Help me on this path. Transform my actions, reactions and thoughts, and clothe me in tenderhearted mercy, kindness, and patience. Soften my words. Align my thoughts with Yours. Modify my opinions. Cause me to consider. Freshen my stale attitude. Motivate me to release. Give me vision and hope. Help me model Your love for others because You love me. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Matthew 18:21-35 (ESV)

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.

“Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Explanation:

I remember as a young kid growing up in church, how literally I used to process this scripture. When I was in elementary school, there was this girl who picked on me and called me “shrimp.” This happened every school day from second grade until middle school when we weren’t in classes together anymore. I hated it. I knew I was short, and I didn’t need her to remind me. (Incidentally, she only grew to be about two inches taller than me; I just grew slower than she did.)

I remember learning about this parable in Sunday school, and my eight-year-old mind didn’t grasp the whole meaning of what Jesus was saying. I was pretty good at math, and knew that 70 times seven was 490. Based on what I had learned from this story, once I had forgiven this bully 490 times, I had a free pass at “shrimp #491” and didn’t have to forgive her anymore. I was planning for the day that arrived so I could clobber her with a kickball on the playground. I even kept a tally sheet for a long time, but one day it fell into a puddle on the way to the bus and wasn’t legible anymore. That was probably God’s way of telling my young brain that I was totally missing the point of this story. What Jesus really meant was that we should not set limits on our forgiveness. Seventy times seven was really Jesus saying “always.”

Let’s shift our focus from the playground shrimp to the man in this scripture, who begged his master for an extension on his loan. The master was full of compassion and offered forgiveness. The forgiven slave, who should have had a heart that overflowed with mercy, went out and tried to enact vengeance on one of his former servants for the SAME reason—a past due debt! His hard heart landed him in jail when his master found out. A huge take away from this story is that when you’ve been forgiven, it is 100% required that you provide that same genuine forgiveness. Spoiler alert: You’ve been forgiven because of the blood Jesus shed for you on the cross, so that requirement is the same for you as it is for me. Regardless of the offense, we must practice forgiveness openly and repeatedly.

Application:

1. Can you name a time when it was hard for you to forgive?

2. Do you ever fall into the trap that I did as a child, having offered forgiveness multiple times, and wondering when you can stop?

3. How has today’s scripture changed your perspective on forgiveness?

Devo Plus:

Read these scriptures to learn more about our call to forgive: Colossians 3:13, Matthew 6:14-15, Luke 17:3-4, Ephesians 4:21-32.

Prayer:

Ask God to help you forgive those who have wronged you. Ask Him to show you ways to have a more genuine heart of forgiveness when you are asked to forgive the same offense multiple times. Ask God to show you any areas where you may need to extend forgiveness to others.

2 Corinthians 5:14-20 (ESV)

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Explanation:

Paul and the Corinthian church had a rocky relationship at times. Paul and his ministry were rejected by them for a time. They questioned Paul, he called them on it, and they repented. Paul is reflecting on this relationship, and trying to bring some perspective as to why it is important to reconcile.

Paul is comparing an earthly perspective with an eternal perspective. Because “the love of Christ controls us,” Paul says that they can endure the hardship that comes with being in relationship. Because they no longer live for the flesh, they can let go of past hurt and heartache caused by the Corinthian church. Because Christ has made all things new, they are changed, as well as how they view the Corinthian church. Instead of seeing other believers for their faults and failures, they see the hope, potential, and new life they have in Christ. They view them as brothers and sisters in Christ. Because Christ is reconciling all things to Himself, they can and will be reconciled to each other as well.

Christ changes the equation when it comes to our relationships. He was faithful to us despite our unfaithfulness, so we can love those who are not loving to us. He was gracious with us, even considering our rejection of God, so when we forgive those who do not deserve it, we take the same perspective that Christ had with us. Whenever we choose reconciliation, we are made more into the image of Christ, and we walk in the new life he has for us.

Application:

1. What is one thing that stood out to you in today’s passage?

2. Is there a relationship in your life that seems impossible to reconcile?

3. How does the hurt they caused impact your desire to reconcile?

4. Do you think there is a difference between forgiveness and reconciliation?

5. How does knowing that Jesus loves you, despite your sin, change how you view the person who hurt you?

6. What one step can you take today toward reconciling a broken relationship in your life?

Devo Plus:

Read Romans 5:1-11 for further study on Jesus’s act of reconciliation.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, it’s not easy to forgive or even desire reconciliation when someone has hurt us. It seems impossible if they continue to hurt us. I pray that You would keep our hearts soft, so we can always desire what You desire, even if the other party makes it impossible right now. Help us to follow You in Your footsteps. Help us to live in the new life You purchased for us, and grant us the grace to be gracious with others.