2 CORINTHIANS 5:18
In 1492 two families in Ireland, the Butlers of Ormonde and the FitzGeralds of Kildare, were involved in a dispute for the position of Lord Deputy. At a point in time the struggle became a physical combat.
The Butlers, out of fear took refuge in the Chapter House of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. The FitzGeralds followed them into the Cathedral and asked them to come out and make peace. They refused, believing they would be killed if they did so.
As a sign of honest intention, the head of the Kildare family, Gerald FitzGerald, ordered that a hole be cut in the door. He then put his arm through the door and offered his hand in peace. Seeing he was willing to risk his arm by putting it through the door, the Butlers knew that they really wanted peace. They shook hands through the door and the Butlers came out from the Chapter House. The two families reconciled.
Today this door is known as the “Door of Reconciliation.”
God has a door of reconciliation. At His initiative and because of His love, He gave His son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross.
Jesus said, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9)
Once we accept God’s hand in peace, we are also given the important task of bringing the message of reconciliation to others as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20a).
What does God’s offer of reconciliation mean to us? How can we extend His offer to those who need to hear it today?
