The cross is reconciliation

Philippians 2 says that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess — and this truth echoes throughout scripture. I think of 1 Corinthians 15:22-23: "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." It's right there. This is some of the foundation that has shifted my life.

I’ve shared before how the revelation of God as Father changed everything. There’s a revelation of who God truly is — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — in perfect union. That “great dance,” as I’ve called it, where Father is face to face with Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in the midst.

In John 1, it says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.”That word “with” (Greek: pros) means face to face — a word of orientation and direction, toward. That changes everything.

When Jesus, the Word, became flesh, we were included in Him. In Christ, we were taken into the divine life. Colossians, Ephesians — they reveal this mystery. There’s a man in the Godhead, and we’re included in that man. We’ve got a seat at the table. (Ephesians 1:4)

Let’s go to the cross.

Luke 23:32 describes Jesus crucified between two criminals. Then He says, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” That’s the part I want to ask you about: Do you think Jesus’ prayer was answered?

Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God (Hebrews 1). If you’ve seen Jesus, you’ve seen the Father. What He prays reveals the Father’s heart. So again — “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Is there forgiveness for those in ignorance, in darkness, in unbelief?

That’s the nature of sin — it blinds us from living as sons and daughters of God. But Jesus is the Savior of the world — “God our Savior, who saved all men, especially those who believe.”

Now in Matthew’s account, Jesus cries out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” quoting Psalm 22. And if you keep reading that Psalm, you’ll see — the Father was right there. God was in Christ. Jesus entered into our darkness, our death — with us, as us, and for us.

Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ…” (Gal. 2:20). Let me ask you — when were you crucified with Christ? Was it something you did? Some repentance or baptism or moment of faith?

No — it happened over 2,000 years ago!!

In His death, we were included. The old Adam was taken to the cross.

This is the Good News. This is the gospel. This is the love of God on full display — reconciling the world to Himself.

Yall be blessed!