Ambassador

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians 5: 20

David Jacobson was sworn in as the United States ambassador to Canada on October 2, 2009 after his appointment from President Obama. Mr. Jacobson lives in Ottawa, the Capital city of Canada, though he doesn't actually live in Canada. Technically, he lives in and works out of the American Embassy - this property is officially US soil. An ambassador is appointed by the highest authority in his/her country to reside in the capital city of another country, in order to represent the affairs of their homeland. They are given authority as ambassadors to speak on behalf of their leader, in addition to ensuring their country's best interests are maintained. An ambassadors primary work is communication - communication with both his/her leader, and the country they're appointed to serve in. Essentially, ambassadors are called to sacrifice living on their home soil, in order to speak for and represent their country in a foreign land. Though, I'd hardly call Mr. Jacobson's appointment a sacrifice (Ottawa is a pretty nice and safe place to live) - sacrifice might to be easy a term for Karl Eikenberry: US Ambassador to Afghanistan, or William Garvelink: US ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Isn't it interesting that Paul calls all Christians, ambassadors for Christ. Whether we realize it or not, we have been appointed by Christ Himself (the very highest leader in the Kingdom of Heaven) to represent Him in this world. We are given the authority to speak on His behalf, and to represent His interests here. And we are called to do so sacrificially, while living in a foreign land - made so by the taint of sin and rule of the devil. Just as an ambassadors primary job is communication - our primary job as ambassadors for Christ is communication. We are at once to be in constant communication with our leader Jesus, while at the same time communicating His message with those dwelling amongst us in this world.

And what message does Christ want us to communicate? What are His interests that He desires us to represent in how we live, and by what we say?

Reconciliation...

The message that all may find peace and unity in the Kingdom of Heaven. The reality that Jesus Christ died and rose again in order to free all from the chains of sin and the devil - that no one needs to be His enemy, that everyone is welcome in Kingdom through the forgiveness of Jesus. We have been reconciled to God through Jesus.

Reconciliation is the message that Christ calls all Christians to bear into the world as His ambassadors.

May each and every one of us fulfill our appointment with faithfulness.

Be God's, Scott