Short Devotion: Peacemakers - Galatians 3:28

 

Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

There has been a lot of controversial discussion about certain aspects of our common history in recent years. Sadly, it has created a great divide among us and caused both anxiety and hostility. One group fervently states that they have experienced centuries of injustice and inequality, so the other side should be made accept what they have done and repair any damage from the past, which may still unjustly affect the present generation. The other side does not accept these accusations, nor are they willing to apportion any blame to their ancestors and themselves, or even have the issue discussed in public forums or in school classrooms. Because there is no dialogue taking place, the wounds grow deeper and the division grows wider. Instead of being a compassionate community where freedom is known through liberty and justice for all, we have become fragmented and suspicious of one another, allowing fear to damage our freedom and ignorance to unsettle our society. 

In times like these, the role of the Church is to be Christ’s peacemaker, creating a safe place where such dialogue can happen, where opposite views can be expressed and heard, as well as being a sanctuary where unity and diversity can flourish. This is not a new concept – it is basic to the teachings of Jesus, as well as to be found in Paul’s ministerial letters. Just as it boldly states in our beautiful Declaration of Independence – we are all created equal by God –it is also expressed, according to Christian doctrine, that we remain equal in the eyes of God through Jesus – as the Apostle Paul wrote:

‘There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.’ This fundamentally means that more than any other group, we, as Christ’s followers, are meant to accept one another as equals and, therefore, to strive for that equality to be fulfilled in the Church, as well as to seek ways to accomplish that equality throughout our community, nation, and world.

This is not an easy task or a light burden, after all, Christ was crucified and Paul was martyred for daring to promote such a revolutionary peacemaking message in a time when power and oppression brutally suppressed any movement toward equality. But no matter how hard it is, to be faithful to Christ means applying His message, however controversial it may be, even in our present dilemma. As Christ’s followers, we follow His lead; as Christ’s disciples, we apply His truth. Like Jesus, we are peacemakers and pathfinders, seeking a solution to the sorrows among us, embracing dialogue and diversity, restoring justice and sharing compassion.

Q: How can I become a peacemaker in our divided community? How can the Church create a place and path that leads to unity and equality?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, in our present difficulties, help us to turn to Your words and ways to find lasting solutions to peace, justice, and equality for everyone. Remind us that we are all equal in God’s eyes and will remain that way for the rest of our existence, both on Earth and in Eternity. In Your Holy Name, we ask for guidance, acceptance, and assurance. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to see what’s happening at the church, please visit our website by clicking this link: www.erinpres.org.

Today’s image is John’s latest drawing called “Cross Purpose.” If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Cross Purpose.

Peacemaking devotion: His Last Miracle - Luke 22:51

Luke 22:51    But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him. (NIV)

            It was His last miracle. When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, one of His disciples tried to defend Christ with a sword and ended up cutting off the ear of one of the High Priest’s guards. It was a valiant effort, but a wasteful one. It was also something that Jesus did not condone.

            Instead of calling upon His disciples to attack the mob, Jesus sternly called for an end to the violence. He was not going to be party to any defense of His person; He was not going to start a protest, a rout, or a rebellion. In order to show how committed He was to being a peacemaker, Jesus healed the guard immediately. He didn’t want anyone else to suffer, not even His enemies.

            As Christians, we are called to be peacemakers in our communities, as well as across the world. This is very difficult to do because, like most human beings, we get angry and feel justified about diminishing our opponents or destroying our enemies. It’s very easy for us, and even for me as a pastor, to get caught up in foolish quarrels and trivial arguments which do nothing to promote Christ’s teaching, God’s love, or the Spirit’s way. We want to feel strong by humiliating our foes; we want to be crusaders for religious causes, both of which, Jesus would not condone.

            Christ’s last healing miracle was how He personally practiced His radical teaching of loving our enemies and forgiving those who hurt us. He not only showed His disciples how to practice their faith, but He also beautifully exemplified His teaching to His foes, especially the guard who was the injured victim of the disciples’ religious zeal. This is an important lesson about peacemaking for all of us who call ourselves ‘Christian’.

Questions for personal reflection

How has the practicing of my faith hurt other people? What would Christ have me do to remedy this?

Prayer:          Lord Jesus, Your Life constantly challenges us. Every moment and every incident in the Gospels has been recorded to teach us about how our Christian faith should be lived. Forgive us, Lord, when we neglect Your lessons; help us to become better witnesses of Your peace and love. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions about today’s message, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com. John is always interested in your thoughts. And, if you ever find yourself in Knoxville on a Sunday morning, the people at Erin will make you feel welcome and will be delighted to worship with you.

Today’s image is John’s latest stained glass drawings. If you would like to view a larger version, please click on this link: Glass.

Holy Week devotion: No More War - 2 Samuel 1:27

2 Samuel 1:27             "How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!"

Like most people on Earth, I long for a day when war will be no more. Tragically, I don’t think that it will ever happen in my lifetime, or indeed anyone else’s. I personally think that it’s going to take the Return of Christ on this planet before war will be over. Between now and then, a lot of nations, peoples, and ethnic races will still raise arms and fight one another.

For instance, presently we’re ending a long and fruitless war in Afghanistan and Iraq, with another Russo-Slavic war in the Crimea on the horizon, as well as a conflict between the two Koreas. Just when we’re successfully bringing our military folks home, another conflict arises and man’s inhumanity to man raises its ugly head again. As creatures, we’re supposed to be the greatest work God ever made because we’re hallmarked with His image. In reality, we are abysmal warmongers, whose depths of cruelty, aggression, and hostility denounces and shames the good work of God within us.

            As we draw closer to the historical events and commemorations of Holy Week, we will be reminded of the loathsome betrayal and unjust arrest, trial, and execution of Christ. We will see humanity at its best in Christ’s obedience, meekness, and sacrifice, compared to mankind’s abominable acts of cruelty, injustice, and even insanity. If we are really honest with ourselves, we will recognize that all of us are capable of the same despicable deeds that sent Christ to the Cross. We are no different than the vilest characters depicted in the Gospel stories; we are no better than anyone else.

            The good thing about this self-awareness of human depravity is this: it brings us humbly before Jesus, from whom we receive undeserved grace and total mercy. Even though our sins nail and kill Him on the Cross, Jesus pours out His godly love to rescue and redeem us, as well as to save and sanctify us, so that we may be eternally restored to God’s favor, love, and peace.

Questions for personal reflection

What areas in the world are currently experiencing conflict? What are my prayers for the people of those warring regions?

Prayers:          Lord Jesus, today we call upon You as the Prince of Peace and the Royal Redeemer who rescues and reconciles the world. We pray for all those regions where war and conflict, unrest and division are painfully affecting the lives of many innocent people. Help us, as Christians, to pray for peace continually. Grant us peaceable attitudes to help reduce hostility, disagreement, anger, and aggression in our own lives. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is on of John’s new Holy Week images called ‘Cup of Salvation.’ If you would like to view a larger image, please click here: Cup of Salvation.