Peace on Earth

“Let There Be Peace on Earth”

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
With God as our Father, brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother, in perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me, let this be the moment now.
With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow.
To take each moment and live each moment with peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.

                                                       Lyrics by Jill Jackson & Mark Miller

           Old Testament

Isaiah 9:6, 7
            For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given,
            And the government will be upon his shoulders. 
            And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
                        Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
            Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

Numbers 6:24-27     The Priestly Blessing
            The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you
and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Psalm 34:14
Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Isaiah 48-22
“There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked.”

God loves everyone and would never do anything to harm anyone, even his enemies.  God is patient, kind, and tolerant of those who oppose him and do not believe in him.  God is a forgiving person and wants his followers to be the same.  Jesus, the Son of God, endured the Cross as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

           New Testament

Luke 2:14
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.

1st Corinthians 14:33
God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

Galatians 5:22, 23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

Philippians 4:7
The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

John 14:27
Jesus said: “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.”

But then, there are these words spoken by Jesus:

Matthew 10:34-36
           “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.  A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.”

So then, Jesus, which is it?  Are you really a man of peace?
Why did you come with a sword?  Will the real Jesus please stand up?

           Jesus was really not the ‘nice guy’ that we think of in terms of being ‘nice.’  Sure, it was really ‘nice’ that Jesus loves us, that he died on the Cross, but he nearly always ‘rocked the boat’ wherever he went, challenging people to think for themselves and to use their intellects.  He had radical inclinations that did not include the ‘smooth things’ that people wanted to hear.  Jesus called a spade a spade and did not mince words; he revealed truth instead.  He went directly to the heart of the matter and did not waste time patronizing anyone.  Jesus spoke with authority that upset the feelings of many to whom he spoke, and he himself became emotional at times.  He was controversial in his speech and his actions, but left no doubt where he stood on issues.  Jesus said strong words to those who needed it and was loving and courteous to his mother, but he still had his own thoughts and ideas.  He spoke with convincing evidence as he went about his Father’s business of making God known, regardless of the danger involved doing so.  Jesus fed people who had physical hunger with food; he fed people who had spiritual hunger with knowledge about God.  He looked upon many with sadness because they didn’t believe what he said; he knew the harm caused by believing lies. Jesus saw the hazard and the tragedy caused by cruel, dominating religious people; he experienced the joy of just one person believing truth.  He saw the futility of arguing and refrained from doing so, but he rejoiced when his disciples “believed at last” (John 16:31).  Jesus willingly lets people decide for themselves whether to accept him or reject him based on the evidence being presented; he honors both decisions equally.

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