Peace At Any Price

Keeping the peace at all costs...

Nobody likes conflict. Well, I think some people do enjoy a good scrap. However, within friendships, families, marriages, groups, and organizations peacefulness is a desired state. Everyone feels better when there's a sense that everyone is getting along.

I'm sure Jesus of Nazareth was no different. Jesus-followers believe that Jesus was and is fully human. As one of our species, he surely enjoyed the times of harmony and contentment, and was discomforted by times of turmoil. Therefore, can you imaging how it would have been for Jesus when he was within days of heading into the city of Jerusalem for the annual Jewish Passover feast? Knowing what was ahead, I wonder if he thought it might be best just not to make the trip, and to stay beneath the radar in the holiday crowds. He had to know that his presence, his mission, and his very identity were all destined to create disturbance. Crowds with varying levels of loyalty would gather round him, eliciting anxiety and jealousy amongst many in religious positions of power. Leadership in Jerusalem would fear for the reaction of Roman authorities if this itinerant Galilean create too much buzz among the mobs. Zealots might be agitated to the point of action, thinking that this Jesus could be the fuse that would ignite and incendiary uprising against the Roman occupiers. Religious experts would inflame righteous indignation to a white-hot fury over this pretentious Nazarene. Reaction to Jesus would not be neutral. Jesus knew it. He knew he would not bring peace, but a sword.

Sometimes peace is necessary and needed, and it reflects the shalom of God. Sometimes peace is nothing more than the veneer covering up injustice, unrighteousness, moral apathy, spiritual indifference, and an abundance of other dynamics that keep us far from the heart of God. We need to pray for God's vision, for humility, and for discerning hearts, that we might know the difference. I'll see you around the next bend in the river.