An Inspirational Nature. Fri. August 29, 2014. Topic: Peace I Leave with You. Text: John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, is what Jesus tells us at this time of reflection and celebration, and when we are also searching for why Jesus is calling us. I do not give to you (that peace) as the world gives, Jesus tells us. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27). It is with a conviction of what that peace means, but also in search of that peace, that we gather on the eve of a Disciples of Christ General Assembly: Some of us, assuming that all our debts have been paid, and that we do not owe anything to anyone; and some of us, perhaps weary and burdened (like the Bible says in Matthew 11:28). As a result of carrying a heavy yoke for many years and anxious of finding a place of true rest. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Jesus is telling us again with a very soft voice this moment, not as it pleases you or the way it satisfies you, but the peace that I am the only one capable of giving you: peace that is a fruit of the spirit, peace that is a twin sister of love, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. (Galatians 5:22-23). It does not matter how heavy or light our yoke may be. It does not matter which battle we come from, or whether we carry medals or just deep scars from that battle; whether we see ourselves as conquistadores or among the victims; or whether we consider ourselves victorious or destroyed. The reality is that, at the peace table where Jesus requires our presence this moment, the criteria for peace is not determined by our capacity to kill, destroy, hate, or take revenge, but rather it is determined by our potential to love, to forgive and be forgiven. As we get ready for this Pre- Assembly gathering, Jesus Christ reminding us of a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. And as he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children, and all that he had, be sold to repay the debt. The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go. But when the servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!,’ he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ But he refused, Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened. Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, I cancelled all the debt of yours because you begged me to, Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you’? In anger, his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured until he should pay back all he owed. (Matthew 18:36). My peace I leave to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. I do not give to you peace that is just the absence of war. I do not give to you peace that emerges after our enemies are killed, but peace that is the fruit of the Spirit and our understanding of who Jesus Christ is, as our true liberator and reconciliator. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust God, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 04:21:21 +0000
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