"Christ reconciled both in one body to God through the cross," Ephesians 2:16.
Jesus likely didn't think of the cross as a good luck charm. Rather, the cross stands as yet another instrument of torture and death which our human culture develops nicely. Cruelly, yes, but nicely. Nails secure his hands and feet to it, blood flows from his wounds, his body hangs from the shameful device. Only really bad guys receive such execution. Like insurrectionists. Or robbers. Or blasphemers. (Occasional innocents die, but you have to expect collateral damage.) And right there! Did you see it? Right there, body hanging, blood all over the place, body dying, right there! ... all peoples, all races, all languages, all traditions, all clans, and all Hebrews become friends. Friends of God. Whoever believes such a preposterous matter.
Reconciled, brothers and sisters, together, we offer the sacrifice of lips that acknowledge Jesus, Lord, the Christ of God. And, God be praised!, he speaks to us with much more grace than we did with him.
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