Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

PEACE

July 26, 2010

Peace
Jesus is known as the Prince of Peace. We pray for peace on earth. But do we know what we're praying for; are we familiar with peace as Jesus uses the word?
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."
- John 20:21 TNIV
Following his resurrection, Jesus' typical greeting became, "Peace be with you." That is something more than "howdy," but what is it? The disciples lacked any kind of peace, they were overwhelmed with grief and fear. So Jesus blessed them with peace, but a peace with which they were not familiar. Christ's peace. Christ's presence filled them with joy, and then it sent them into the world.
Peace is not inner harmony, the absence of noise and anxiety. It's God's presence no matter our location or circumstance, even in the middle of a battlefield. But the peace Jesus bid them was not for self-fulfillment, but to send them into the world, to bid peace to still others. He sends us out to bid the world peace. The peace of Jesus Christ be with you all.
Joyfully,

Dale Patterson