Stewards of Reconciliation

This insight we shared again because we think it is appropriate for this week.

Stewards of Reconciliation

The year 2003 saw the release of a film about South-Africa entitled,
"In my Country." Based on an autobiographical book written by
journalist Antjie Krogg entitled, "Country of My Skull," the film
fleshes out the White South-Afrikaner author's personal experience
with the vestiges of Apartheid. Accordingly, the film depicts the
author as a journalist assigned to report on cases brought before the
"Truth and Reconciliation Commission," or TRC, which was established
by the government. The film, which could be described as somewhat of a
docudrama, tells the story of the journalist's struggle with her White
South-Afrikaner family as she provides news coverage of the
controversial commission, but the story of an African-American
journalist who struggles with his anger, and skepticism regarding this
new form of justice. While the TRC's appointment and task was
documented in newspapers around the world, it seems that not many
outside of Africa followed the trials. The commission's principle
method for bringing about peace and harmony between Black and White
South-Africans was reconciliation. Hearing each case before a room
full of Black South-Africans and reporters, the commission asked each
Black South-African to sit in front of the room facing the panel with
a counselor by his or her side and describe how the victimization took
place. As the victim spoke, the audience listened intently but did not
cry, although they groaned audibly. Occasionally the victim cried out
in pain as the offending police officer or guard recounted his story
of torture and death. You see, to receive amnesty, the guilty White
South-Afrikaner officer must tell the absolute truth. He and his
partner -- if there was one, must describe how they committed the
torture, abuse, or murder. Furthermore, the perpetrator was expected
to disclose all participants involved in the crime and to name the
authority figures ordered the work done. If it was determined by the
TRC that the crime was not politically motivated, the guilty parties
were forced to stand trial for their crimes.

One particularly moving story which the film highlighted, occurred
when an eight-year-old boy walked into his parents' bedroom one night.
As he entered the room, he witnessed two police officers murder both
of his parents, while he stood still, speechless. The TRC counselor
had to tell the boy's story for him, for he had not spoken since.
There he sat, wide-eyed and tear-less as he heard the officer tell his
story. Listening with hushed and bated breath, the audience awaited
the officers' story -- and told it they did (the story is too graphic
to recount). At the end of his story, the first officer requested
amnesty, as if he felt it was his right - as if he deserved it -
because he had now cooperated with the commission. The second officer,
however, was clearly of a different mindset. He told of his
participation in the crime and added that he was to have shot the boy,
but that he could not. "I aimed my gun, but he just stood there calmly
looking at me, silent, and I could not." "I disobeyed a direct order
in not shooting him, but I just could not." Jumping up from his seat,
this police officer said, "at night I see his face, looking at me --
saying nothing." "I can't sleep, I can't eat." At this admission, the
officer approached the area where the boy sat facing him. and said,
" I would do anything to take back what I have done -- I'll pay in
anyway I can -- I'll send him to school and pay his fees, I'll even
pay for him to go all the way to college -- I am sorry, so sorry."
With that the officer began to sob, as the audience was silent,
waiting. The little eight-year-old boy who had been listening stood up
and approached the kneeling officer, and after looking at him for a
moment, threw his arms around him, hugging him. The audience and panel
seemingly through their tears approve. Although the means of
forgiveness and amnesty have been provided through the TRC by the
government, it is the eight-year-old boy who is the steward of
forgiveness, and reconciliation that day.

How many of us consider ourselves stewards of reconciliation?
Unfortunately, not many of us. The sad truth is that only a few of us
would choose to forgive a wrong of such magnitude as has been
experienced by the Black South-African victims. Yes, as Christians
we've professed Christ, but we still but seem to have difficulty
forgiving even minute injustices. However, Christ wants us to be His
ambassadors or stewards. In 2 Cor. 5: 20, the scripture calls us
"ambassadors for Christ," and "ministers of reconciliation" (see verse
18). It seems that just as Christ has been an ambassador or steward on
behalf of the Father to us, that He wants us to follow in His
footsteps. Let us read what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5. It reads as
follows:

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature;
old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Cor. 5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to
Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of
reconciliation;
2 Cor. 5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed
unto us the word of reconciliation.

Friends, although forgiving and reconciling seems impossible to us --
our natures finding it extremely distasteful -- yet "Christ died for
us while we were yet sinners" ( Rom. 5:8). So, if we are "in Christ,"
He works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure, and His
commands are not grievous (Phil. 2:13, I John 5:3). What is God's
command? He commands that we dispense His grace, and tell the world
that Christ has already reconciled them to Himself at His death on
Calvary.

As Christians, one of the first things that we learned is that God
created the world, so it all belongs to Him, and that He is the
rightful owner. We also learned that since He paid for us back
(redeemed us), we are to be His stewards or managers, and this is
where the concept of tithe and offering comes in. But, how about
thinking about stewardship in a new manner. How about considering
ourselves not only as stewards of the material or tangible goods -
such as land, money, and talents - that He gives us but as stewards of
the fruit of the gospel. What is the fruit of the gospel you say? It
is reconciliation and forgiveness.

God has said as our lesson quotes, "Every good and perfect gift is
from above, and comes down from the Father of lights... (James 1:17
NKJV). He is offering you and me the work of perhaps a higher order
than we've previously thought -- stewardship at a higher level than
we've yet known. I don't know about you, but I think the offer is
worth the risks. So, how about you, will you take it?

Maria Greaves-Barnes


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