The first picture we get of Imperial Peace (my term from Sunday morning) is in 1 Samuel 11. Nahash, an Ammonite King, lays siege to an Israelite city called Jabesh. Now in those days, Israel was not united and would often encounter these sieges. Nahash offers piece to the people of Jabesh. They may have peace, as long as they gouge their own right eyes out and shame themselves before everyone. But, if they did this, they would have the protection of the Ammonites. Saul, the new king, unites his people by destroying Nahash.
In every day and age, there is a power that promises peace for a dreaded cost. Today, I believe, that empire is our own consumerism. It promises peace and meaning, if we ignore the slave labor used to make our products or the relationships (including families) that get wrecked by the endless pursuit of more stuff.
In Hebrews 2, we find that there is a similar power behind all of these forces- the fear of death. And it is that power that Jesus came to confront. And so we will look, for the remainder of the week, at peace, righteousness and justice, the three aspects of Christ's counter-kingdom.
Peace is a word thrown around a lot. And I think most people are for peace, generally, unless there is some profit behind war. But in our lives, we yearn for peace, at least that's what I hear as I talk to people about our current season. Yet I think we chase after a lesser form of peace.
Sometimes we define peace as being conflict-free. This works as a definition, but conflict is a natural and necessary part of relationships. To not have conflict is to not have relationships. And nobody wants that.
I think what we truly yearn for is peace that is deeper than being conflict-free. I think true peace, shalom, wholeness, is handling conflict in a different and better way. Forgiveness, we find in the Bible, is the pathway to peace.
Christmastime is a season where family and friends get together, and often there is some underlying conflict between family members. Allow this to be a season of reconciliation and forgiveness. Dare to forgive someone near you. May you experience the peace of Christ this week and always.
No comments:
Post a Comment