'Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God' (Matthew 5:9). When we read about peace in the Bible much more is meant than simply the absence of conflict. There can only be peace with wholeness and completeness. When these things are absent there won't be a real peace. Things may sometimes seem ok at times but there is turmoil bubbling away just below the surface.
Over Christmas you may have read/heard the passage from Isaiah 9:6 which gives Jesus the name 'prince of peace' among others. This morning I was reading in Matthew 10:34 in which Jesus says, 'I did not come to bring peace but a sword...' So does Jesus bring peace or not?
Only true peace can be found in Jesus because it is only through Jesus that we can know wholeness. It comes through acknowledging that Jesus is Lord - now I will live his way and not my own. I will put God's priorities first, not my own. But living that kind of life will put us into conflict with those who don't acknowledge that Jesus is Lord. Not that we go out looking for trouble - as far as it is down to us we should seek to live peacefully with all (Hebrews 12:14). But putting Jesus first will mean that inevitably other people/things will have to be at best second, if not third, fourth or fifth priorities.
Living as a disciple of Jesus will bring persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). But whilst we should not go looking for persecution, we should certainly not run from it at all costs, for 'Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven' (verse 10). Even though the life of a disciple is one that makes a positive impact (salt and light) there will be those who will not like what they see. Whether through envy, jealousy, or some other reason they will want to bring the disciple down.
Peace or persecution? On the surface the two may seem mutually exclusive - but the disciple of Jesus can know both at the same time. Experiencing the hardship that comes from persecution and yet knowing the peace of God that is beyond all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7).
