By Doug Redford
Late one Wednesday afternoon in 2002 in the town of Bethlehem, two men were shot inside the Church of the Nativity, which was built to commemorate the site of Jesus’ birth. Ironically the shooting occurred as Israeli and Palestinian delegations were arriving for negotiations at the peace center next to the church.
The world has had its peace centers, peace treaties, and peace talks for years. And yet peace remains elusive, as the prolonged tension in the Middle East demonstrates. Add to that the headlines and news stories that confront us day after day with a world that seems to be going to pieces rather than moving toward peace.
Consider the angel’s message to the shepherds one night near the town of Bethlehem. As someone has quaintly put it, peace will not be found at a Mideast table; it can be found only at a Mideast stable, the birthplace of the Prince of Peace. It was only fitting that a messenger not from this world brought news of this peace (Luke 2:13), “peace to those on whom [God’s] favor rests” (Luke 2:14). This is a peace that the world, despite its best efforts, remains unable to provide. Jesus himself made that clear in John 14:27. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” This peace came about when the Prince of Peace paid the price of peace with God by his death on the cross for the sins of humanity. Only he could provide the sinless sacrifice that was necessary for such peace to be achieved, making us right with God. It is a peace meant for all seasons and stages of life, not just the Christmas season.
The Communion table may be considered a “peace table,” for by these symbols of the bread and the juice we remember what the Prince of Peace accomplished, “making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:20). Whenever we take Communion, we have before us a reminder that the world, despite all its peace talks, peace treaties, and peace conferences, will never really be able to experience genuine peace until it surrenders to the Prince of Peace on his terms. That’s why the silent night in Bethlehem happened, and that’s why, because of Jesus, we can “sleep [and wake and live and even die] in heavenly peace.”
Doug Redford has served in the preaching ministry, as an editor of adult Sunday school curriculum, and as a Bible college professor. Now retired, he continues to write and speak as opportunities arise.
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