Day of Reconciliation
Yesterday was the Day of Reconciliation. This public holiday came into effect in 1994 after the end of apartheid, with the intention of fostering reconciliation and national unity. Since his death on Thursday 5 December we have been reminded over and over again in countless ways of the key role Nelson Mandela played in bringing about the degree of reconciliation that has occurred in our country. I say “degree” because there still remains a lot to be done in this area. Racism and division is still a problem, and each of us has a role to play in making this reconciliation a reality in our daily lives. But, having said that, a lot has been achieved in the area of reconciliation and national unity. The many memorial gatherings that have been held since Madiba died have seen South Africans of all race groups and stations in society coming together to mourn as one. This has been most gratifying.
Reconciliation in the Bible
One of the great NT themes concerns the reconciliation of Jews and Gentile believers in Jesus to one another. This came about as a direct result of their reconciliation to God the Father through the sacrifice of Jesus. Listen to this theme explained as I read from Paul’s letter to the Christians in Ephesus. I’m reading from Ephesians 2:12-18
“… remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. “
Serving God’s Purpose
We have all thought much of Madiba in recent days. As I thought about him, the words spoken by the apostle Paul concerning David, Israel’s greatest king, came to mind. Summarizing David’s life, Paul said, “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep (died)” (Acts 13:36). The text highlights three truths
- God had a purpose for David’s life.
- In his lifetime, although he was a fallible human being who failed often, he served God’s purpose. Some of David’s own plans, like the building of the temple, were not fulfilled. But God’s purpose was.
- When God judged that David had served his purpose, David died.
Today I believe we can say, When Nelson Mandela had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep (died).” As in the case of David, king of Israel
- God had a purpose for Madiba’s life.
- In his lifetime, although he was a fallible human being who, by how own admission, failed often, he served God’s purpose. Like David, he no doubt had plans and dreams that he did not fulfill, but he served God’s purpose.
- When God judged that Madiba had served his purpose, Madiba died.
In the days since Madiba’s death we have been deluged with tributes recounting the numerous ways in which he served God’s purpose in his generation. It has been our privilege as a country and as individual citizens to be on the receiving end of the blessings and benefits that have flowed from his serving God’s purpose in his generation. We are indeed a privileged generation!
Among the many ways in which Madiba served God’s purpose in his generation, three stand out to me. They are well known to us, so I am not going to elaborate on them. Madiba served God’s purpose in his generation . . .
- By sacrificing for justice
- By forgiving his enemies
- By living for others (So many people have stories of what have been referred to as their ‘Madiba moment.’ – stories of simple words and acts of kindness that deeply impacted their lives.)
Eulogize or Emulate
As we have seen in the last week, it is easy to eulogize Madiba. Millions of people all around the world have done so, ourselves among them. It is one thing to eulogize him, but it is another thing to emulate him. It is one thing to praise him, but it is another thing to follow his practice.
I was really challenged by a paragraph in President Obama’s speech last Tuesday. He said,
“We, too, must act on behalf of justice. We, too, must act on behalf of peace. There are too many people who happily embrace Madiba’s legacy of racial reconciliation, but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality. There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom, but do not tolerate dissent from their own people. And there are too many of us on the sidelines, comfortable in complacency or cynicism, when our voices must be heard.”
As he said that, I was hoping that some of the world leaders sitting behind him were listening. And then it struck me—Am I listening? It’s easy to eulogize. It’s another thing to emulate. It’s one thing to praise; it’s another thing to practice. If we praise without seeking to practice we are simply hypocrites!
The Challenge of Madiba’s Life
So the challenge of Madiba’s life comes to me. I cannot be him. Nor can you. But God has a purpose for your life and mine in our generation. To be consistent, I must ask myself
- What sacrifices for justice am I making?
- Will I forgive those people who have wronged me?
- Am I living for others? How many people can recount a ‘Leigh (_____) moment’ . . . a moment when I have noticed them, taken an interest in them, bothered to know their name, served them or sacrificed for them in some way? What will people have to say at my funeral?
These are some of the challenges Madiba’s life poses for us living in the Rainbow Nation he helped bring into being.
There is One greater than David (& Mandela)
As I conclude, I must take us back again to that text about David, and finish Paul’s thought. He said,
“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed. But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.”
In the context of his sermon in Acts 13, Paul praises David for serving God’s purpose in his generation, but he makes it clear that Jesus is in another league. “But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.” David was a man! Madiba was a man! Jesus was Immanuel, which means, “God with us!” He gave his life for our liberty, and God raised him from the dead, thereby authenticating all his claims. Let’s admire Madiba, but let’s not make him into a god. Jesus, “the one whom God raised from the dead” is God. It is only through faith in him that we can be reconciled to God. Let’s receive him into our lives by faith. Let’s surrender our lives to him. Let’s follow him. Let’s serve his purpose in our generation.
