Jesus is often called the Prince of Peace. He teaches us how to live lives of peace and yet when I reflect on the peace of Jesus this morning these are the two stories that come to mind: Jesus driving the buyers and sellers out of the temple and Jesus being frustrated with the disciples when they cannot stay awake with him. I find myself wondering what these stories can teach us about peace.
Let’s start with a quick review of the stories.
At that time, it was tradition to offer sacrifices to God – both of grain and meat. These sacrifices where used to feed the temple priests and the fat was burned completely as an offering to God. Originally these offerings were meant to be from your own harvest but eventually there began a trade at the temple where you could purchase sacrifices so that you wouldn’t have to risk travelling with your animals. When Jesus saw this, he became angry and drove everyone buying and selling out of the temple because the temple was meant to be a place of prayer. On the surface this doesn’t seem like the most peaceful response.
Our second story takes place just before Jesus is crucified. He knows what is coming and wants to spend the evening in prayer. He asks a few of his disciples to come with him. He walks a little way away from them to spend some time in prayer. When he returns all the disciples are asleep. Jesus asks them, “Could you not even stay awake with me for one hour?” which seems more like a moment of frustration than a moment of peace.
Even though on the surface these stories don’t seem very peaceful they hold very important lessons about peace.
The first is that peace cannot be truly achieved when there are injustices in the world. This scripture is a call to action to speak out and make changes when there is something wrong in the world. When you see people discriminated against because of race, religion, gender, sex, sexuality, ability, or any of the too many other reasons we create divisions in society SPEAK OUT! Work to make changes in our social structures and in yourself to ensure that everyone has a safe place, and everyone is treated equitably. Each person who acknowledges the inequities in the world and works to make positive changes brings us further along the path of peace.
The second story speaks to me about inner peace – a subject in which that I have a lot to learn. I tend to sacrifice my own peace for the apparent peace of others. Too often a suppress my own needs because I don’t want to create conflict or make someone uncomfortable. This story for me is a reminder that it is okay to be frustrated with the people closest to me and the I need to speak my own needs, so people understand what is important to me. Peace cannot not truly be achieved until you find peace within yourself.
We so often think of peace as quite and stillness. This year I would invite you to consider that the path to peace may involve activity, conversation and new understanding.