“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.” John 16:33a
Once upon a time I was at the grocery searching for an essential ingredient of Chuck’s Awesome Chili, which is awesome if I do say so myself. For some reason I can never remember where things are, so I was doomed to wander the aisles until I finally stumbled upon my treasure. As I roamed among the fresh vegetables, a lady came up and said, “Hey, I’m glad I finally have the chance to talk to you in person.”
This must be one of my many adoring fans , I thought to myself. With a smile on my face, I replied, “Hi, good to see you, too.” But suddenly the woman appeared quite shocked and gave me a “Get away, you strange man” look. As she nervously hurried along, I noticed one of those cell phone things stuck in her ear. She had not been talking to me at all, nor was she a friendly, adoring fan. I had just misunderstood.
I hate it when that happens. Not the embarrassment part (though I’m not crazy about that either), but the misunderstanding part. I try very hard to be patient, study thoroughly, and be aware of the truth of any situation or whatever it is that I may be seeing, hearing or reading. But sometimes I slip up and jump to a conclusion never intended or offered. I find meaning that was never meant. We all do that every now and then, which is why it’s so important to understand the truth of when Jesus came into this world.
In my country, tis the season for sharing the Christmas story. There are special sermons, wonderful plays, and beautiful music. And we can’t forget the cards, millions of them, with all kinds of inspiring words. But it is also the season for practicing great care. In celebrating Jesus’ birth, we can easily forget what actually occurred, in so doing, misunderstand what that birth meant to the world. We can find meaning that was never meant. So, what did happen way back then?
A teenage girl becomes pregnant and her fiancé considers leaving her. After a long journey with no place to stay, her child is born where animals are kept and he’s placed in the trough where they eat. Angels suddenly appear to some shepherds who are filled with terror. Foreigners come, telling of the birth of a new king. The ruler and all of Jerusalem are troubled, disturbed and frightened. After finding the child, these wise men defy the ruler’s order to report back to him. In the middle of the night, the man, woman and child flee for their lives, going to another country for safety. In Bethlehem and the surrounding areas, the ruler kills every single boy two years old and under. Where’s the peace we’ve heard so much about?
This time of year, we are overwhelmed with images of a loving mother, a beautiful baby, and sweet little lambs. Many, if not most, come from companies simply trying to make money, not concerned about “getting it right”. But even in our churches the message becomes confused and we find ourselves hearing stories of a child who came to bring peace to the earth. But what would this same child tell us one day?
“Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” (Luke 12:51) “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34)
When you see a Christmas play, does the narrator say, “And the child came to divide us”? When you hear those wonderful carols, does the choir sing, “Blessed be the child who came with a sword”? And when your pastor, minister, priest, rabbi, or teacher shares the story of the birth of Christ, does he or she ever mention, “He did not come to bring peace on earth”? No? Then what does it all mean?
Jesus came into this world…as the Way to our Heavenly Father, a narrow path that divides those who follow Him from those who embrace the world…as the Truth of His love, a divine knowledge that cuts through and reveals the evil in man’s heart…as the Life for His friends, one filled with God’s mercy, forgiveness, and joy, given freely to all who believe in Him.
Jesus came so that we might be reconciled with God and, despite the violence, hatred and suffering in this world, have everlasting peace in Him. Jesus did not come to bring peace. He is the peace!
Remember that once you were separate from Christ…without hope and without God in the world. “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He himself is our peace…” (Ephesians 2:12-14)
A child was born and there was Peace on earth. I pray we will understand.
Take care and be God’s,
Chuck
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