A Message of Reconciliation
By Uriah Smith
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as the God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Cor. 5:20. Friend, if the Lord should come to you to-day,
In His own person, from His throne in heaven,
And at your door some earnest plea should lay,
Would any heed to His request be given? Should He the places show where spear and nail
Pierced His dear form when on the cross for thee,
The crown of thorns, the bruised face, wan and pale,
The bloody terror of Gethsemane, And say, “For thee I bore this heavy load,
To cleanse thy sin came down to bleed and die;
And will you now be reconciled to God?”
Could you that tender, pitying voice deny? Couldst thou from that blest offer turn away,
To be from sin made free, now so defiled?
O, wouldst thou not in deep contrition say,
“Yea, Lord, I will to God be reconciled”? But Christ is here—not seen by mortal eyes—
In His ambassadors who bear His word,
To you they bring a message from the skies,
And plead with you in place of Christ the Lord. As tho Himself, God did beseech you now,
To be no longer by your sin beguiled,
As if Christ asked you to Himself to bow—
Friend, will you not to God be reconciled?
—Uriah Smith.