Ambassadors
Scripture Reading — 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors.
An ambassador is an official envoy, a high-ranking diplomat who serves as one nation’s representative to another nation.
As priests serving in Christ’s kingdom, we are ambassadors.
This means that an ambassador lives at your house. You represent God. You are an official agent commissioned to bring God’s message of reconciliation to the world.
As Christians, we are called to use this status to minister to others in a way that leads people to be reconciled with God and with each other. This is an awesome and humbling task.
The world needs ambassadors for Christ today. The world claims that when conflict or tensions arise, they can’t be repaired. So we live with fractured pieces and ongoing tensions everywhere.
But the Word of God says something different. As priests, we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. We are to bring peace and unity to relationships everywhere.
When we seek peace in our relationships by reconciling one to another, we are being priests. This is needed in this dark and hurting world.
Are you willing to accept the responsibility of being a reconciler — a priest and ambassador in God’s kingdom?
Lord, thank you for using me as your instrument today. May I be an agent of reconciliation as your ambassador in this world. Amen.
About the author — Pete Byma
Pete Byma has served as a pastor of congregations in Michigan and in Washington state. Serving now as a pastor in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he is also a consultant/coach for churches experiencing conflict, and he enjoys equipping and establishing people in ministry. He is married to Cheri, and they have four grown children and six grandchildren. Pete is also a registered soccer official and enjoys bicycling.
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