Do you ever notice that in certain relationships we find a comfort within ourselves being with a certain person or group, and this can be described as “peace” -- when we’re truly able to be free to be ourselves? And then in certain other relationships, for some reason there is not this same comfort, we don’t feel ourselves i.e. we can lack peace. We feel impinged by a vexatious spirit which does not foster a flow of peace-filled communication to occur.
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Jesus mentions this to his disciples and gives us some hints on retaining our peace -- this applies even to the non-Christian; to everyone in fact.
Jesus mentions this to his disciples and gives us some hints on retaining our peace -- this applies even to the non-Christian; to everyone in fact.
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“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.” (Luke 10:5-6)
“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you.” (Luke 10:5-6)
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“Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:11-16)
“Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:11-16)
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The essence is this: if we feel comfortable with a person or people and there’s a mutual interest, good communication, compassion or empathy, then our peace should be able to rest on the situation and over the people involved. In other words, spiritually, our peace can be allowed to float from being with the self, and to merge with the other person; this elucidates trust.
The essence is this: if we feel comfortable with a person or people and there’s a mutual interest, good communication, compassion or empathy, then our peace should be able to rest on the situation and over the people involved. In other words, spiritually, our peace can be allowed to float from being with the self, and to merge with the other person; this elucidates trust.
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However, if we find that the interaction we’re involved in is somehow not comfortable we should protect our peace by retaining it. This means we need to be prudent in guarding our peace and hearts, from those wolves who might seek to steal it from us. We are allowed, and indeed should, ‘shake the dust from our feet’ as is the Jewish saying, and surreptitiously extract ourselves from the situation. As soon as we sense a wolf, our peace ought to return to us.
However, if we find that the interaction we’re involved in is somehow not comfortable we should protect our peace by retaining it. This means we need to be prudent in guarding our peace and hearts, from those wolves who might seek to steal it from us. We are allowed, and indeed should, ‘shake the dust from our feet’ as is the Jewish saying, and surreptitiously extract ourselves from the situation. As soon as we sense a wolf, our peace ought to return to us.
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And what is this peace? It is Jesus’ peace of faith. It is a peace of assurance that is able to endure much in the spirit of life and the uncertainty of life. If it meets with more peace, more peace flows, but like a telephone call it is so easily ‘disconnected.’ Jesus explains:
And what is this peace? It is Jesus’ peace of faith. It is a peace of assurance that is able to endure much in the spirit of life and the uncertainty of life. If it meets with more peace, more peace flows, but like a telephone call it is so easily ‘disconnected.’ Jesus explains:
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“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.” (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.” (John 14:27)
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The final charge of Jesus in Matthew 10:16 is a key. The Christian life is a two-edged sword of purity and prudence -- ‘wise as serpents, yet innocent as a dove’ -- a balance difficult to achieve, though not impossible. Furthermore, it is a balance necessary to truly grow in wisdom.
The final charge of Jesus in Matthew 10:16 is a key. The Christian life is a two-edged sword of purity and prudence -- ‘wise as serpents, yet innocent as a dove’ -- a balance difficult to achieve, though not impossible. Furthermore, it is a balance necessary to truly grow in wisdom.
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Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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All referenced Scriptural quotes from the NIV.
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