The Joyful Proclamation of Reconciliation
By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
“Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” These words are not a cozy sentiment to stir nostalgia; they are the bedrock of our joy and hope. They beckon us to marvel at the glory of God’s intervention in human history. They call us to see Christmas not as a warm tradition but as the stunning, earth-shattering announcement of a rescue mission for sinners.
Charles Wesley, in this hymn, gives us a front-row seat to the drama of redemption. It’s as if we’re there with the angels, hearing the skies erupt with praise. And the heart of their proclamation? Reconciliation. Peace, not in some abstract sense, but peace between a holy God and a sinful humanity—a peace that cost God dearly.
The angels didn’t sing of reconciliation because they needed it themselves. No, they sang for us. They sang for the unworthy, the rebellious, the undeserving. They sang because the long-awaited promise of Genesis 3:15—the serpent-crushing Seed—was finally here.
Why Reconciliation Was Necessary
The word reconcile assumes separation. It assumes brokenness. And not just a slight fracture but a chasm of infinite proportions. Sin has made us enemies of God. The Bible is unflinching: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This isn’t just a theoretical statement; it’s the stark reality of every human heart. We were not just distant from God; we were hostile toward Him (Colossians 1:21).
What does it mean to be estranged from God? It means to be cut off from the source of life, love, and joy. It means to stand under His just condemnation, unable to bridge the divide through our own efforts. No amount of good works, moral striving, or religious devotion could bring us back. We were hopeless. But God, in His infinite mercy, did not leave us there.
This is the gospel: “While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). God didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up. He didn’t send His Son for the worthy or the well-behaved. He sent Him for sinners—sinners like you and me.
The Cost of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is not cheap. The angels’ song of “peace on earth” wasn’t a declaration of an easy truce. It was a proclamation of victory purchased at the highest cost.
Consider Paul’s words: “God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19). How is this possible? How could a just God not count our sins against us? The answer is at the very heart of the gospel: He counted them against Christ.
The cradle in Bethlehem led inexorably to the cross at Calvary. The baby born in a manger was born to die. The cost of reconciliation was the blood of the Son of God. At the cross, Jesus bore the wrath we deserved so that we could be brought back into fellowship with the Father.
This is why Wesley could write of “mercy mild.” God’s mercy is not mild in the sense of being weak or hesitant. It is mild because it is tender, compassionate, and undeserved. And it is this mercy that reconciles sinners to Himself through the substitutionary death of Christ.
A Response of Worship
This is the truth that compels our worship: “God and sinners reconciled.” Reconciliation isn’t just a theological concept; it’s the restoration of a relationship. Through Christ, we are brought near to the One who made us, loves us, and satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts.
The angels couldn’t remain silent, and neither can we. Their song is our song. Advent is not a time for mere reflection; it is a time for rejoicing. As we sing Hark! The Herald Angels Sing this season, let it not be routine. Let the words ignite a fresh sense of wonder in your heart.
Think about it: You, a sinner, have been reconciled to the holy God of the universe. You, once an enemy, are now a child of God. You, once burdened by guilt, are now clothed in the righteousness of Christ. This is why we sing. This is why we rejoice.
So let your heart echo the angels:
“Hark! The herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King.’”
Throughout this Advent season, Pastor Josh is writing devotionals as a companion piece to Pastor Tim's sermons. This devotional was inspired by last Sunday's sermon, "Reconciling King." You can find that sermon here.
“Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled.” These words are not a cozy sentiment to stir nostalgia; they are the bedrock of our joy and hope. They beckon us to marvel at the glory of God’s intervention in human history. They call us to see Christmas not as a warm tradition but as the stunning, earth-shattering announcement of a rescue mission for sinners.
Charles Wesley, in this hymn, gives us a front-row seat to the drama of redemption. It’s as if we’re there with the angels, hearing the skies erupt with praise. And the heart of their proclamation? Reconciliation. Peace, not in some abstract sense, but peace between a holy God and a sinful humanity—a peace that cost God dearly.
The angels didn’t sing of reconciliation because they needed it themselves. No, they sang for us. They sang for the unworthy, the rebellious, the undeserving. They sang because the long-awaited promise of Genesis 3:15—the serpent-crushing Seed—was finally here.
Why Reconciliation Was Necessary
The word reconcile assumes separation. It assumes brokenness. And not just a slight fracture but a chasm of infinite proportions. Sin has made us enemies of God. The Bible is unflinching: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). This isn’t just a theoretical statement; it’s the stark reality of every human heart. We were not just distant from God; we were hostile toward Him (Colossians 1:21).
What does it mean to be estranged from God? It means to be cut off from the source of life, love, and joy. It means to stand under His just condemnation, unable to bridge the divide through our own efforts. No amount of good works, moral striving, or religious devotion could bring us back. We were hopeless. But God, in His infinite mercy, did not leave us there.
This is the gospel: “While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). God didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up. He didn’t send His Son for the worthy or the well-behaved. He sent Him for sinners—sinners like you and me.
The Cost of Reconciliation
Reconciliation is not cheap. The angels’ song of “peace on earth” wasn’t a declaration of an easy truce. It was a proclamation of victory purchased at the highest cost.
Consider Paul’s words: “God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them” (2 Corinthians 5:19). How is this possible? How could a just God not count our sins against us? The answer is at the very heart of the gospel: He counted them against Christ.
The cradle in Bethlehem led inexorably to the cross at Calvary. The baby born in a manger was born to die. The cost of reconciliation was the blood of the Son of God. At the cross, Jesus bore the wrath we deserved so that we could be brought back into fellowship with the Father.
This is why Wesley could write of “mercy mild.” God’s mercy is not mild in the sense of being weak or hesitant. It is mild because it is tender, compassionate, and undeserved. And it is this mercy that reconciles sinners to Himself through the substitutionary death of Christ.
A Response of Worship
This is the truth that compels our worship: “God and sinners reconciled.” Reconciliation isn’t just a theological concept; it’s the restoration of a relationship. Through Christ, we are brought near to the One who made us, loves us, and satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts.
The angels couldn’t remain silent, and neither can we. Their song is our song. Advent is not a time for mere reflection; it is a time for rejoicing. As we sing Hark! The Herald Angels Sing this season, let it not be routine. Let the words ignite a fresh sense of wonder in your heart.
Think about it: You, a sinner, have been reconciled to the holy God of the universe. You, once an enemy, are now a child of God. You, once burdened by guilt, are now clothed in the righteousness of Christ. This is why we sing. This is why we rejoice.
So let your heart echo the angels:
“Hark! The herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King.’”
Throughout this Advent season, Pastor Josh is writing devotionals as a companion piece to Pastor Tim's sermons. This devotional was inspired by last Sunday's sermon, "Reconciling King." You can find that sermon here.