(Audio)
If this day you only knew what makes for peace–
but now it is hidden from your eyes.
What makes for peace? This is as relevant now as it was then. We still don't seem to know. We believe that peace is something that can be enforced from the top down via the correct application of power. And while this isn't entirely wrong it is a small part of the picture. Those imposing peace, if they do not themselves have peace in their hearts, can never impose it with evenhanded fairness. Those on whom peace is imposed, if they do not have it in themselves already, will not cooperate readily enough that true peace will result. Their own resistance-our our resistance-will stack and multiply until cracks of discord appear. Certainly we see this across our society. So what makes for peace?
you did not recognize the time of your visitation.
We need to recognize the time of our visitation. Jesus is the only one who can truly bring peace. Peace begins between ourselves and God. It can only come to us through the cross. It is only from this beginning that peace in the world, true peace, lasting peace, can grow.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (see John 14:27).
For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility (see Ephesians 2:14-16).
It is therefore true that Jesus both came to give us peace and life in abundance and at the same time also true that he came not to bring peace but the sword (see Matthew 10:34). The false pretenses must give way if true peace is to be revealed. The world attempts to devour the children of peace. But the children of peace offer no resistance. They follow their eldest brother to the Cross exposing the hatred of the world for what it is, making repentance possible.
To be a child of peace means to be meek but not to be weak. It takes more strength than violence and is only possible with the help of God.
God forbid that we should forsake the law and the commandments.
We will not obey the words of the king
nor depart from our religion in the slightest degree.
Peace must be our priority or we will not have it. If we prefer anything else to peace the world will use those things to maintain power over us.
Thereupon he fled to the mountains with his sons,
leaving behind in the city all their possessions.
Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom
went out into the desert to settle there.
Jesus, you came to give us peace beyond understanding that the world cannot give or take away. Help us to receive that peace today. Help us to live it always.
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