He is our peace... in uncertain times
Last month I found myself back at the church where I grew up, Westdale Reformed Church in Hamilton, warmly welcomed into the pulpit by people I love. I preached from Ephesians 2:8-22, “He is Our Peace.” In the sermon I told the story of my friends Rami and Bassam, a Jew and a Palestinian, both of whom have had young daughters killed in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict (killed at the hands of the “other side”). I will tell their story over again and again. As many times as it takes. Because these men have found healing from their inconsolable grief and violent anger by forgiving one another and coming together to work for peace.
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I preached that day about the things that separate us from God and from one another, about what reconciliation in Christ is and what it is not, and about how we are called to live in light of these realities. On the Sunday before Remembrance Day, it seemed fitting to think together about how the human heart is prone to war, and about how Jesus came to be our peace – miraculously reconciling us to God, incredibly reconciling us with one another, and then amazingly sending us out as ministers of reconciliation in the world.
After the sermon, a woman came up to me and said, “Marijke, I love this message and feel I compelled by the invitation to peace, but I don’t understand how this text relates to the situation in which the RCA finds itself now… when we are contemplating a denominational split.” I could sympathize with her. (If you don't know about the RCA's work to find a way forward through division, click HERE.) It is hard to talk about peace when we’re in the midst of seemingly irreconcilable disagreements. So, we talked about our understandings of peace, our desire for unity, and our understanding that these ideals sometimes seem impossible, humanly speaking.
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And yet we keep believing that Christ is at work in all things, and will show us the most excellent way.
When I think about Christ as our peace, I can't help thinking of all the places in life where I see and feel chaos right now. Then I think about the word “shalom,” in the sense of wholeness, harmony, well-being, and well-wishing. I think this word does not mean unanimity or uniformity, but the ability to be calm in chaos, to work toward restoration, and to wish our adversaries well. I think of a baby born into a rough stable, while the violence of the Roman Empire raged outside. I think of the condition of the human heart, and the reality that human brokenness means human beings cannot always stay in relationship with one another (try as they might), but they can release and bless one another with peace in their hearts. When I think about all these things, I wonder whether maybe peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of calm love and the ability to work for the good of the other.
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Sometimes it feels as though chaos swirls all around us, as though our interpersonal problems are intractable, and there is no lamp to light the way forward. We are not always even sure about what peace is, let alone how to achieve it. But we know we want it. And perhaps that is the best place to start. At Christmas I am reminded that peace is both a choice and a gift. If Christ is our peace, then the child of Bethlehem teaches us to seek peace in the most unlikely places, to hope for peace in impossible circumstances, to receive peace in humility, to work for peace with courage, to nurture peace with love, and when we find it, to rejoice over peace with singing.
At Christmas we are reminded that God sent the Prince of Peace to live among us. And we are invited to keep seeking peace with him and making peace alongside him. Even, and especially, when it is hardest.
At Christmas we are reminded that God sent the Prince of Peace to live among us. And we are invited to keep seeking peace with him and making peace alongside him. Even, and especially, when it is hardest.
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned….
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:2,5-7
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned….
Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood
will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.
Isaiah 9:2,5-7