Peace
The fourth book of the New Testament is the book of John, written by John, a disciple of Jesus, as a first-hand eyewitness account of the life of Christ. In his description of the period following immediately after the first Easter, John writes this sentence:
‘A week later, His Disciples were in the house, and although the doors were locked Jesus appeared and stood amongst them and said, “Peace be with you.”’ John 20:26
Peace. We need peace. Locally, regionally, nationally and globally we need peace. Our world currently appears to be firmly planted in a messy, abusive, polarising and nasty season of division. It is not pleasant – and we need peace. But how?
Peace surely has to be more than just the absence of war, violence and conflict – although that would be a tremendous starting point. However, true peace, which is long-lasting, genuine and sincere, must focus on what is, not only on what is not; so peace must include the presence of harmony, freedom, justice, inclusion, social stability and community calm.
Peace is a state we all desire but simultaneously agree is most often not present. Peace is, and has been for centuries, pursued by individuals, communities and nations alike. Thousands of authors, artists and leaders (including Buddha, Gandhi, Benjamin Franklin, Helen Keller and Mother Teresa to name only a few) have offered us wisdom in relation to the search for peace. Books, poems, plays, essays and music have been written, speeches have been delivered and guidelines have been implemented. Peace is included as one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and as one of the five Nobel Prizes awarded annually for global contributions to the world – Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, Literature and Peace.
We know peace is important, but we struggle to discover it – why?
Could it be that true peace can only be found at the deepest level? Might we consider the absence of war, violence and conflict as necessary for the first level of peace; the presence of harmony, freedom, justice, inclusion, social stability and community calm as required for a deeper level of peace; and then ultimately, genuine human transformation as vital for the achievement of true peace? Perhaps we need to change as individuals? Maybe true peace is found only when we elect to think, live and act selflessly – a choice in direct opposition to our ‘normal’ human response? Our desire to vote ‘me’ not ‘we’, and place ourselves first, is our largest life challenge. Selfishness, Pride, Greed, Idolatry and Power are our five greatest enemies. Selfishness says, ‘I want my way’; pride says, ‘My way is the best way’; greed says, ‘I will gather to myself what I need to make my way happen’; Idolatry says, ‘If you don’t agree with my way, you are wrong’; and Power says, ‘I will take from you what I need to make my way happen.’
Of all the messages Jesus could have shared with His Disciples when He appeared to them in that locked room shortly after the first Easter, He simply said, ‘Peace be with you.’
Is it possible that He knew the power of true peace, and that He wanted to encourage His Disciples, and anyone else subsequently hearing or reading His words, to choose lives of peace because He understood this would change the world?
In the Old Testament book of Proverbs we read this simple statement.
‘A heart at peace gives life to the body.’ Proverbs 14:30
How wonderful would it be if we could be people with hearts at peace, giving life not only to ourselves but also to our community?
May God bless us all – with His peace.
Rev. Tim Edwards
Lead Chaplain
