Peace

We all want peace.  Peace in the wake of war’s violence and devastation.  Peace while wading through uncontrollable circumstances or while waiting for unforeseen events to run their course.  Peace concerning life’s myriad difficult decisions.  Peace in the face of the ever-looming certainty of death.  At one time or another [or perhaps even all at the same time] each of us experiences these various longings for peace.  We yearn for it.  Many times we even seek it at the expense of others.  However, the fact remains – we live in a broken, chaotic world where peace is hard to find.

 

All of this was on my mind as I read over Jesus’ post resurrection appearances in John.  I’d read those stories dozens of times but something strikingly simple stood out this go round.  When Jesus reveals himself to his closest followers, he immediately speaks peace to them.  Maybe he is just trying to offer a little reassurance since his disciples are encountering someone they know to be dead.  Maybe he is merely using a common greeting.  Regardless, I think Jesus is declaring a foundational truth.

 

Because He suffered and died on the cross and because he rose from the dead, people of the Kingdom can [and do] experience peace [even presently].  Jesus’ victory over sin and death inaugurated a new age.  Peace is possible [now]. 

 

The other day a good friend asked me if I thought Jesus came to bring peace or the sword.  My answer was yes.  In a certain sense Jesus did come to bring the sword.  It is readily observable that His message divides families, friends, tribes, and nations.  It is also apparent that the Gospel slices through all culture and presents a worldview that surpasses any established by man.  Rejection of the Kingdom also implies God’s wrath.  Each of these things demonstrates that Jesus does indeed bring the sword.  

 

But more importantly [at least from my perspective], Jesus came to bring peace.  He came to give direction and encouragement as life happens to us.  He came to conquer the destructive powers of sin and death that are all too real in our daily lives.  He came to heal the sick and give life to the dead.  He came ushering in a time when every one – people from all races, genders, and socio-economic levels – will live together in harmony.  He came to speak peace.  

 

Scripture abounds with messages of peace.  David tells us to turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.  Isaiah speaks of the Christ establishing peace without end.  Micah writes about a time we will beat our swords into plowshares and our spears into pruning hooks.  He continues by declaring we will not train for war anymore.  Paul encourages us that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus.  The words show that peace is a [if not the] goal of the Kingdom.

 

So what does that look like now?  Obviously we aren’t witnessing the full extent of peace yet.  Honestly I doubt we ever will in this lifetime [unless of course Christ returns].  Wars will still happen.  People aren’t going to stop dying.  I’m still going to second guess my choices. None of these things nullify this vital truth of the Resurrection -peace is here.

 

We should act in a way that stands up to violence.  We should rest in the body surrounding us when things aren’t so great.  We should make every effort we can to make this present sojourn look like the future Kingdom.  As we resolutely wander towards the goal, we should relay the hope of peace to come and make earnest efforts to establish peace here and now.

 

In this Easter season [yes, it is more than a day] remember that the Resurrection brought the peace of God to earth in an entirely new way.

 

Peace be with you.