Earnest Hemingway wrote a short story titled, “The Capital of the World.” A boy named Paco defies his father and runs away to Madrid because he wants to be a famous bull fighter. Father and son are estranged for years, and when the father finally seeks his son, he cannot find him in the large city. Paco is a very common name in Spain.
In desperation, the father takes out an ad in the newspaper. “Paco, meet me at Hotel Montana at noon of Tuesday. All is forgiven, Papa.”
When father arrives at the hotel, the police have erected barricades to control the crowd. It seems that more than 800 young men named Paco have come to find reconciliation with their Papa!
Reconciliation is one of Paul’s favorite ways to describe the saving work of Jesus Christ. We were alienated from our Father by sin, but now we have been reconciled through the blood of Jesus on the cross.
In Colossians chapter one, Paul writes that the Gospel he serves, the Gospel that is proclaimed in all creation, is the Good News of Reconciliation through the blood of Jesus.
“For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach” (Col. 1:19-22).
Hallelujah! This is the Gospel that we heard, the Gospel we believe, the Gospel we serve.
As Oklahoma Baptists, we encourage one another to advance the Gospel. It is easy for us to be distracted by other good causes, other needs or passions or problems or agendas. Ours is a Gospel agenda. Our Lord has already declared our mission. We have good news of reconciliation. Let’s share the Good News with our neighbors and the nations!
