PEACE ON EARTH?
Our world seems to be filled with fear and anxiety. The rulers of the world are tackling this by increased airport security, surveillance, armed guards, and attacks on enemies whether real or assumed. In other venues, leaders gather to loudly condemn "terrorism" or whatever appears to be the work of their enemies. Still others use every human device like bargaining, cajoling, coercion, even blackmailing or bribery, to broker some sort of peace deal. Ironically, sometimes peace is sought through the imposition and threat of overwhelming violence.
Why is there worldwide terror? In the Old Testament of the Bible (Lev. 26:16; Det. 28:67) "terror" was a curse brought upon a land. But there is also "peace" promised in the Old Testament through the coming "Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). Who is that Prince?
Before he was himself attacked, beaten, and finally unjustly tortured and executed, Jesus said this to his disciples: "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." Jesus (and his followers) were people of peace. There is only one incident where an over zealous disciple struck out in violence, and Jesus rebuked him, "Put your sword back in its place...for all who draw the sword will die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). This principle Jesus was referring to was "reaping what we sow" -- for violence only begets more violence.
Jesus offered us the way to peace in his "kingdom" -- loving our enemies, doing good to those who persecute us, forgiving others, and praying for our foes. He proved that sacrificial love has more force than bombs, missiles, nuclear weapons, torture, imprisonment or military conquest. Though not a Christian (but an avid reader of the teachings of Jesus), the Indian leader Ghandi seemed to understand this in his principle of non-violence. Bishop Tutu understood this as he sought an end to the cycle of violence in South Africa through the Truth and Reconciliation Commission -- in place of revenge and violent retaliation, offering forgiveness.
In this world of terror and fear, seek Jesus. He IS the Prince of Peace!
2 comments:
Peace, sacrifice of peace; joy, sacrifice of joy; definition of peace and joy are surprisingly to have such differences in different context and perspectives.
Wisdom and foolish, is just so different in the context of God.
Does "peace" then ties on love and hatred? Does faith deals with minds and emotion too? A real encounter with God will melt hatred into love, because it is the meeting with God that changes us from within, whether it is done in one day, or in a gradual process. For people who do not have that experience, does faith deals with the inner change too? It's a journey of searching isn't it? Seeking Jesus is a personal relationship, that one only gets it when he or she really seeks it, and believe it, hold it after he or she finds it.
Aa...
Seems like, the healing of the land needs to come first. The question of identity crisis, or famine and war, crumbled into one theme as I put my thoughts in it. I thought I simplified it, but the crumble seems to be more difficult to sort.
すみません、for being so weak. ちょっと困るになりますから，しつれしました。
Very amusing opinion
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