Where Is The Peace Jesus Came To Bring?

Yesterday I got a very honest, probably popular, question stemming from my conversation about the origin of Jesus presence on earth. The question went something like this: If Jesus came to bring peace where is it?  I can’t believe that many people don't live with that kind of question.  Our world is not a peaceful place!  People are not peaceful!  There is all manner of awful!  All you have to do is pay attention to the daily news to know that life on earth is not peaceful.  Certainly not the way God planned for his “very good” creation.

And!  That is exactly the kind of world Jesus was born into centuries ago.

When the man Jesus began his ministry, biblical scholars have surmised that, he was approximately 30-33 years old.  He had been around the village a few time since his birth.  He was aware of the human inclination to not be “good.”  Let alone “very good!”  He had witnessed first hand the unequal social and cultural status that had taken form.  He probably had watched the misuse of the Torah and the hypocritical practices of the religious leader.  

Jesus knew the challenges he faced, as God’s voice, in all the confusion and disorderliness.  

He knew it, because he had experienced it for hundreds, thousands, of years as God above.  

But God came, in Jesus, with a new plan.  Well, it was the same plan with a different outcome.  

Now this is where my mind gets mirky!  So let me just play around with my imagination a bit.  It wasn’t that God had changed direction.  He still wanted His human creation to be kind and caring.  He still wanted them to take care of all other parts of the creation. He still wanted them to love as he loved.  However the outcome, the intended goal for humanity, was more up to them. Instead of up to God!  I mean the message was the same as in the beginning.  But the people now were able to say no!  No, I do not believe in you!  No, God is not real!  No, I don’t want to follow your silly, unrealistic idea of the best way to live.

So, Jesus began his ministry, according to Mark’s Gospel, with these simple words:  

1 The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. 2 As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way;.. "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. 8 I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

Jesus came bring “good news!” He came offering the third person of God — the Hole Spirit. He came to tell the world the God was indeed real.  That God wanted only good for his people.  But there would be a change!  God would no longer try to force them to believe!  God would no longer, even attempt to,  make them listen. There would no longer be a vigilant God who played the game of crime, punishment, repentance and forgiveness.  

No!  God came in Jesus to simply tell the truth!  He game to stand eyeball to eyeball with his human brothers and sisters. To teach them what they needed to hear.  He did this by proving that he was God!  The Creator God!  Who could, and would, do all things needed to make people believe!  Believe in His truth!  His reality!

Jesus did this by walking along side of the people.  Answering their questions, doing miracles, healing the sick, tormented and lame. He used very little force or threats.  He modeled gentleness, compassion, graciousness and acceptance.  And he challenged those who wanted to place their importance above others.

And then after teaching them all they needed to know.  He spread his arm out wide, nailed to the Cross, and silently proclaimed: Believe me!  Or, not!

It is up to you now!

And I am tempted to think that that permission to "not" is the glitch!  The point of division!  The place that limits the offer of "peace!"  Some have chosen to follow another kind of life style.

And there in lies the problems we face today!

Is God limited by the "nots?"  No!  I do not believe the for a minute!