More Than a Ceasefire (Peace 1)
Peace, not simply as political policy, but soul sanctification.
As we continue to look for the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians within the teachings and example of Jesus in the gospels, I’ve been surprised to see how clearly the gospels themselves connect the Spirit to the fruit. Today’s passage is yet another example.
We begin this second Sunday of Advent with the fruit that is peace, the third fruit listed by Paul. This is of course the traditional theme of the Second Sunday.
I’ve chosen part of Jesus’ farewell discourse in John for today’s passage. Take a moment to read it below.
Jesus makes the connection well before Paul ever does: I’m sending you the Holy Spirit…it’s my peace I’m leaving with you, giving to you.
But he’s clear to say that this is a different peace than is understood by the world. We can’t miss this.
Peace as the absence of conflict or violence is certainly a goal of Jesus and his Kingdom. The Kingdom of God knows no propagation of violence. (Can this be overstated in today’s context? No.) There are a number of powerful stories often told during the Advent & Christmas seasons about ceasefires during war on Christmas Day, etc. These are not bad. But they are not necessarily the deepest essence of Christ’s peace. (Especially if the violence picks right back up after the festivity.)
The peace that Jesus gives by his Spirit in John does not remove his people from the context of conflict and violence. It is a state of being lived within such things. Remember here in John, Jesus is about to go to the cross. In mere moments, he will be arrested, put through ridiculously dishonest trials, mocked, beaten, and killed. What kind of “peace” is that?
What he’s offering his people - demanding, perhaps - is a state of being within it all. This is still one of those conflicting aspects of Jesus’ faith and action for so many. Humans seek an escape from difficulty. And in a very real sense, Jesus does offer that - an escape of sorts. But it is not an elimination of conflict and violence.
(Yet…it’s not an elimination yet. We certainly believe, especially during Advent, that Jesus will come and eliminate all conflict and violence. And we pray Maranatha! - “Come, Lord Jesus.” And we may see glimpses of such elimination action even here and now. And when we do, thanks be to God! But this does not mean that the Christ’s peace offers us in life will always remove us from difficulty.)
I give to you not as the world gives.
Too often in the world, the absence of violence only comes through the force of violence. Take a moment to read that sentence another time or two.
You know how it goes, right? Two powers or nations are fighting; one displays enough force - or even threatens enough force - that the other relents.
This is not the peace of Jesus, no matter how much we want to try and label it as such. Yes, we should be thankful when violence ceases. But we should know that Christ’s peace comes through his convicting, gentle, forgiving, restoring, sacrificing Spirit.
Imagine two armies in the midst of a violent battle. And all of a sudden, they stop, throw down their weapons, and hug each other with tears of repentance and forgiveness. And they do this not simply because they are afraid the other one might best them, but because something inside of them has caused them to see the futility of their violent efforts in the end. And they stop fighting out of sacrifice, not fear.
That would be Christ’s peace. That would be the movement of the Spirit among people. It’s hard to imagine, isn’t it? But it’s not impossible. And actually, it’s why so many of these fruit work hand-in-hand. It would take a patient hope to imagine such a peace. And it would take a deep sense of sacrificial love for it to come about.
So today, maybe the question is not, “Where is peace?” but “With whom am I staying?” Jesus’ peace is his presence in the midst of conflict, not the promise of a life without it. Let us take him at his word: his peace is not like the world’s peace. It is deeper, gentler, and stronger than anything force can produce.
John 14:25-31
“I have spoken these things to you while I am with you. The Companion, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I told you.
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid. You have heard me tell you, ‘I’m going away and returning to you.’ If you loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than me. I have told you before it happens so that when it happens you will believe. I won’t say much more to you because this world’s ruler is coming. He has nothing on me. Rather, he comes so that the world will know that I love the Father and do just as the Father has commanded me. Get up. We’re leaving this place.
Prayer
God,
Thank you for the peace you give. Not escape, not denial, but presence in the midst of everything we fear and cannot fix. Teach me to stay close to Christ when the world is loud, and to receive the peace he breathes, not the peace the world demands.
Let your Spirit form in me a gentleness that refuses violence, a courage that chooses forgiveness, and a patience that trusts your work in hidden places. Help my refusal of violence not simply be the form letter I’ve filed regarding conscientious objection, but let it be that which keeps me from yelling at the kids or passive-aggressively toting the authority I have in my work. Give me wisdom and insight as I respond to the conflict in my own life, not just the words I throw at global headlines.
Your peace, not simply political policy, but soul sanctification. Every day.
Holy Father of all creation, I see your loving justice in Jesus of Nazareth. By your Spirit, make me more like him.
Amen.