Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
(From last year’s advent writing)
We seem to function with two main ideas of what peace is. One idea is to make sure no one hurts anyone or does anything violent by being the ultimate violent one. Silence the evil around us by killing it. The Romans believed in this peace, Pax Romana, Roman Peace. The Romans brought civilizations to an otherwise unfettered revengeful world. The roads were marked with highway men, people waiting to ambush others to steal their money and goods. The Romans were praised, most of the time by themselves, for being the peace makers. The ones who came and brought peace to warring tribes, warring people groups. They did this by invading, killing opponents, and setting themselves up as rulers. Rome was the empire set on bringing the good news of Caesar, the king of the world, to the lost and broken peoples. Caesar was hailed as the savior of the world. (Please notice the strong similarities between the vernacular of Rome and how the gospel of Jesus is presented). The critics of Rome of course came from those that were invaded, murdered, and hung on crosses. A leader of the British natives, forcefully invaded by Rome, has famously said, “They create a wasteland and call it peace.” Is our way of peace any different?
After the complete carnage of the first world war, the war to end all wars, the people of Europe were anything but eager to launch themselves into global conflict. Nazi Germany, under the rule of fascist dictator Adolf Hitler, sensed this hesitancy and exploited it. In direct violation of peace agreements, the German Military was beefing up their army, navy, and airforce. They annexed Austria and then Czechoslovakia. In this time of tumult, Nevil Chamberlain, then prime minister of Great Britain, went to meet with Hitler to negotiate some sort of peace agreement. Taking Hitler at his word that he would not invade any previously unheld lands in Europe, Chamberlain returned to Britain with a peace agreement. With joy and jubilation, he proclaimed that Britain would have “peace for our time.” This was a peace through appeasement and avoidance of evil. It was an unwillingness to deal with the darkness brooding in Europe, which ultimately broods within our very souls. Of course we know the rest of the story, Hitler shortly after invaded Poland, and the bloodiest war to have ever existed started. At the end hundreds of millions of lives around the world were lost.
Then what are we to do? We are stuck with these two ideas of peace. We either use violence or appeasement. We create laws and philosophies based on these two upheld ideas on how to deal with violence and evil.
Jesus cuts through the false dichotomy. He doesn’t give peace like the world does. He does not offer a placated peace or a violent one. He offers himself. The world did and still does its best to silence his love and forgiveness with violence and apathy, but his kingdom still grows and changes lives. His kingdom takes root in those that have chosen his life of peace, not placating evil or threatening it with more violence, but by standing on truth firmly with love and forgiveness.
This advent season, let us focus on the true peace, that transcends time and space, that meets us in our circumstances and firmly roots us in the knowledge that his peace never fades nor takes on cowardice or violence. His peace strengthens hearts and minds, opens arms to embrace enemies as friends through the transformation of souls. Because he doesn’t give peace like the world does. He gives peace through himself. May we offer our lives of peace to the world, that they may see Jesus the true savior of all creation.
Father God, grant us sight to see your desire for peace and the means through which you create it. May we, seeking to be your true image bearers, live a life of peace in the chaos and tumult of life. We ask these things in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Announcements
ADVENT WRITING is coming soon! Would you be interested in writing a short piece for an advent devotional? We will be creating a collection of advent writings for our church and any others. Use This Link to sign up!
Christmas Shoe Boxes along with instructions will be placed at the back of the church for anyone or group that is interested in filling a Christmas Shoebox for a child
Community Art for November 21 is from 4-6. We will be making a Christmas Themed Craft! See the flyer below
Weekly Church Schedule
Sunday School has resumed
9:45 for Children and Adults
Worship at 11pm
Prayer Posse at 12pm on Wednesdays
Pastor Steven will be in his office from 8-4 (Monday -
Thursday), unless I am meeting with a church member or a community member outside of the church buildingIf the “Open” sign is on, I am in the office. Come on in to say hi and sit and talk for a while. I would love to see you
If you need me for anything, you can call or text me at 972-921-2516
