The words of Jesus
What Did Jesus Say About Reconciliation?
Jesus urged His followers to mend broken relationships quickly and to keep on forgiving. Making peace is so important to Him that He puts it before religious ritual.
“first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.”
Jesus, in Matthew 5:24, King James Version
Peace with people comes before offering to God.
“if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone.”
Jesus, in Matthew 18:15, King James Version
Go directly and privately to seek peace, not to shame.
“Agree with thine adversary quickly.”
Jesus, in Matthew 5:25, King James Version
Do not let a quarrel harden; settle it soon.
“if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
Jesus, in Luke 17:3, King James Version
Honesty and forgiveness belong together.
“if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
Jesus, in Matthew 6:14, King James Version
Forgiveness received and forgiveness given are bound together.
What Jesus is really saying
Jesus treats broken relationships as urgent, worth interrupting worship to repair. He asks for honest, humble peacemaking, going directly to the person rather than nursing resentment or spreading it. And He roots our willingness to forgive in the mercy we have received, because we love because He first loved us.
Who these words reveal Him to be
He urges us to make peace because He is the great Peacemaker, the God who reconciled the world to Himself. Jesus does not merely command forgiveness; He accomplished it at the cross, absorbing the wrong so that peace could be made. He is the Lord who bridges the widest gulf, the one between us and God, and the Savior who makes enemies into family. His whole mission is reconciliation, and He shares it with us.
Come to Him
Is there someone you need to make peace with? Jesus, who reconciled us to God at great cost, gives the grace to take the first step. Bring Him the broken relationship, and let Him make you a peacemaker.
His words were always meant to lead you to Himself. You can begin with Jesus here, ask someone to pray with you, or read His words in the Bible.