READ | SERMON NOTES
SUMMARY l Peace appears elusive in our times of turmoil, wars and unease, with political and economic fallouts. The worldview of peace is a state of calmness, when everything is going well as planned. Such peace that is tied to circumstances is superficial and tenuous when something happens to disturb the calmness. Another idea of peace is the absence of war. By this definition, Singapore is at peace but wars in other countries affect us economically, socially and in other ways as we live in an interconnected world. Ceasefire is fragile and temporary and there may not be real peace during ceasefire as both warring parties marshal resources to fight again.
The peace that Jesus talks about in John 14:27 is shalom which means completeness and wholeness. Shalom is universal. We and our neighbours and all creation including land must be at peace. Shalom is the way things ought to be (Cornelius Plantinga). Colossians 1:19,20- God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him and through Jesus God was pleased to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his Cross. This is the peace that Jesus wants for us and gives us. Though the totality of shalom will be fully experienced when Jesus returns, Jesus says he gives us his peace even now. In his resurrection appearances, Jesus greeted his disciples with “peace be with you”. We do not need to strive or earn it as it is his gift to us. His peace reflects his character, holiness, love and justice. To appreciate Jesus’ peace, we need to know him and some of his hard sayings which may seem to challenge our idea of peace:
1) Matthew 10:34 challenges our mere understanding of peace. Jesus is saying his calling is higher than blood relationships, even within our family. Jesus’s peace demands that we put him first. There is a saying that blood is thicker than water, but to the Christian, the water of baptism is thicker than blood. Following Jesus sometimes seems like putting our biological family as second priority and tensions in the family may arise. The Christian community has stronger and more enduring ties than blood relationships.
2) Ephesians 2:14,15- Jesus destroyed the barrier between Jews and Gentiles, creating one humanity out of two through the Cross. Jesus can reconcile even the staunchest of enemies. Peace that reconciles people of different races and social status and cares for one another beyond our family is a powerful witness to the world.
Peace of the world is self-serving, tenuous, self- referenced, transactional or attained through violence. God’s peace is just and seeks the good of all, reflecting God’s character and love. It transcends all understanding to guard our hearts, so we are not anxious though things are not going our way (Philippians 4:7). Peace without trouble is not the peace that Jesus gives, which demands that we put him first and requires obedience to his word and will.
Care for the environment is part of the shalom that Jesus demands of us. Creation is not at peace. How have we lived up to our call as God’s stewards of the environment? We need to take seriously our call as earth’s stewards and be intentional in caring for creation. Do we make lifestyle changes e.g., use less disposables, grow more plants, recycle, participate in beach clean-up? Though the task is huge and we are so small, this is a “mustard seed act” for each of us. As in growing plants, we do what we can and let God do the rest.
These are challenging times and people are afraid and troubled. Do we look after ourselves only or bury our heads and pretend nothing is wrong?
Scripture verse was given by Jesus when the disciples were deeply troubled and afraid as their master was going to die and they did not know how bad the situation would be. Are you troubled over broken relationship, death of a loved one, stressed over examinations, getting a job, etc? Only Jesus’ peace can comfort and break down walls that divide us in difficult relationships. It may mean we apologise, make amends, receive another’s apology and forgive.
If we receive shalom, we can fully rest in Jesus and not let our hearts be troubled and afraid. Jesus gives us peace so we can witness to the world. Only the robust, holy, just and demanding shalom that Jesus gives can help us navigate these challenging times.
(Sermon notes by Woo Choi Yin)
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- Jesus wants to give you His peace. Where do you especially need that peace today? Ask the Prince of Peace to give you His peace.
- Where might the peace of God be challenging your relationships?
- What steps can you take to be at peace with the land?
