Anglican Perspective: The Joy of Christmas

posted December 22, 2011

Rev. Phil Ashey: Humility, Forgiveness and Reconciliation: The Reasons for the Season
Excerpt:
Like Jesus, we must come face-to-faceto reconcile with others. Let's be clear: forgiveness is ultimately a solo act. Jesus said that we may have to forgive unrepentant people in utter denial over and over again (see Matthew 18:21-22). We have no right to expect God to forgive us if we cannot forgive others (Mt. 6:14-15).

But reconciliation is always a two-way street. Jesus must have included Peter, his friend who abandoned him, in his first word of forgiveness from the cross. But even though he was forgiven, Peter was unable to carry on the mission until Jesus came face-to-face to reconcile Peter to himself. You see, reconciliation is the restoration of a trust which has been broken. Peter had to hear three times, face-to-face, words that assured him that Jesus' trust in him was restored (John 21:15-19) I believe Jesus asked Peter three times "Do you love me?" in order to help Peter face his sin and betrayal of trust, and the pain that it caused Jesus and the Kingdom. Peter also had to repent - to literally turn in a new direction. He could not go back to "business as usual," to fishing. He had to make a new commitment to a new way of life: "Feed my sheep."