Tuesday, December 15, 2020
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
Psalm 8:3-4
PEACE ON EARTH
This time of year always brings thoughts of peace. God has blessed us in that we have not had a world war in 75 years, although, sadly, there have been regional conflicts in Korea, Vietnam, Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere.
In both the Old and the New Testaments, God pleads with mankind to forsake the cloudy skies of warfare, and let Him take care of conflict. Our Bible class is studying the book of Kings now, and in 2 Kings, Chapters 18 and 19, the enemy Army after all its impressive threats is decimated by “the Angel of the Lord” in one night.
Likewise, in the New Testament, Jesus rejects violence and loves his enemies. He prays for those who abuse and ultimately kill Him. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Evangelist quotes Jesus as saying: “You have heard that it was said ‘You should love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. But I say to you love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’” (Matthew 5:43-44).
Jesus teaches and exemplifies a new way, a new dawn of human, social and international relationships. Jesus’ way of peace is still possible.
Lou Cei