“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace” Ephesians 2:14-15
What has been your approach to peace? Has it been mainly a personal pursuit? Or has it been more focused on peace in public arenas and relationships? For most of my faith journey, I have heard numerous messages emphasizing the importance of getting my heart personally right with God so that I can experience inner peace as an individual. Even if the whole world is troubled, I can take great comfort in knowing I belong to a Savior who is my perfect peace when my mind is focused on Him. Just like Isaiah 26:3 says: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
While it is absolutely necessary to have our hearts right with God through a personal and private relationship with Jesus Christ in order to experience deep internal peace, it must lead to action for the communal peace that Christ calls us to experience and extend in our world. My neighbor’s peace, both local and global, must be my concern because their peace matters just as much as mine does. For many of us aspiring to be devout disciples, why is it that the virtue for public peace doesn’t seem to have high interest nor investment of time and treasures?
He came to bring salvation that is far beyond the circle of individual souls.
During this Advent season when millions around the world are suffering as a result of poverty, injustice and disaster; I want to call us to the virtue of public peace that Jesus came to bring. He came to earth to disturb the authorities, both religious and political, with the truth that they were abusing their power to feed their egos instead of using the power of His love to feed hungry people. He tried to tell them then and reminds us today that He came to bring salvation that is far beyond the circle of individual souls. As Colossians 1:19-20 says “God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him (Jesus), and through Him to reconcile to Himself ALL things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making PEACE through His blood, shed on the cross.”
Today’s focus of scripture from Ephesians 2:14-18 reminds us that because Jesus Himself is our peace, He made the two groups of Jews and Gentiles one by destroying the barrier of hostility. His desire is that ALL people and ALL nations would find peace in Him not just as individuals in a relationship with Him but also as a community together with relationships reconciled and in unity with each other. Since we are His disciples equipped by His Spirit, we are called to “disturb for peace” and actively destroy every systemic racist or discriminatory barriers (any rules or regulations) that affect Christ’s purpose to “create in Himself one new humanity….thus making peace”.
That is not the peace that Jesus came to earth and died for.
How active are you in doing this? Even when you and I say nothing or do nothing about the injustice that we see in society, we are communicating that we are okay with these broken systems. It is an illusion to take a stance of being “non-political” because that is when the powerful have been permitted to abuse and manipulate others. That is not the peace that Jesus came to earth and died for.
So what can you and I do in response? How about deciding today to do something that communicates your concern to a leader about at least one broken system that needs change whether that is an increase of government support to small farm families in the global south, or an unjust trade policy, or a law that pushes indigenous people into poverty, or an unfair immigration system or other systems of taxes and benefits that reward the powerful while pushing down the vulnerable? Let’s not forget the “neighbor” that is God’s creation that He has gifted to us and obey His call to do justice in our stewardship as well as promoting policies that care for it. How about standing in solidarity with someone, the “neighbor(s)” God has placed in your path and heart today, who has no peace and is suffering because of broken relationships and injustices? Perhaps you could consider the gift catalogue of World Renew that has many opportunities to support programs and communities making a difference, restoring peace.
Whatever your gift or strength, God can use it to “disturb” and cause changes to happen for our collective peace to be realized. His Spirit calls us to serve and love in our hurting world and not just for our private sense of peace.
Lord, disturb our hearts today by the power of your Spirit so that your true Peace may be realized, not only personally but also collectively in our communities. We repent of the things we have not done nor said where our silence gave permission to others to abuse and promote so much suffering and turmoil in the lives of individuals, communities and even nations. Open our eyes to see how we can use our gifts from you to share your presence, power and peace in a hurting world. May your kingdom of peace come in and through us. Amen!
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