“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house’. If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them. If not, it will return to you.” (Luke 10:5,6)
In our scripture today, Jesus sends out 72 willing, able, and (presumably) peaceful servants who will act as ambassadors for Jesus as they go ahead of him to the towns, to individual homes, to share his peace. As they enter houses, they are to pass the peace (of Jesus) to the inhabitants and, if the residents are promoters of peace, it will stay. If not, it bounces back, I guess.
Is this what happens in churches? In our conversations do we herald the peace of Jesus? Do we share this peace which entails confession, forgiveness, grace and all the fruits of the Spirit, or is it simply a catch-up time for those who might have been late for the service?
I’m tempted to think that the designation of peace, and the passing of it, was to prepare others for Jesus’ coming. As you are promoting peace, think about the words that facilitate the grace of God coming to individual houses, or people, or situations.
Before we can offer peace of Christ to another, we must examine our own hearts to see if that peace is there first. The world’s chaos from a multitude of directions invades our minds and hearts. Satan loves to exacerbate fear, hate, vengeful thoughts to fill our lives. And, we turn it against others near and far. We don’t take the time to investigate the truth of a situation, we often just react from where we think things should go. If we’re not Jesus-squared-away, then some prayer time may bring the needed peace to offer the needed peace.
Prayer
No matter what you are feeling or going through at this moment, may the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
