David Bahn – Reflections

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Acts 10:34-48

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, ³⁵ but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. ³⁶ As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), ³⁷ you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: ³⁸ how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, ⁴⁰ but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, ⁴¹ not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. ⁴² And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

⁴⁴ While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. ⁴⁵ And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. ⁴⁶ For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” ⁴⁸ And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Ukraine. Israel. Gaza. Clearly there is no peace there. War tears limbs and families apart. Children lose feet. Parents lose children. Friends lose friends. Fear takes the throne in people’s hearts. Death pitches a tent in every neighborhood. Turmoil reigns. Sadness holds sway.

This is not God’s plan for mankind. This is not the gift of God of which Peter speaks to the people at Cornelius’ house. He preached good news of peace through Jesus Christ. That’s Jesus’ gift to us. 

Why, then is there still war? How is it that having been given peace by Jesus do even Jesus’ people engage in war? I’m thinking about the Christmas Eve 1914 that the German and British soldiers observed a cease fire, sang Christmas Carols across the trenches in WWI, and then the next day went back to fighting. It was called the Christmas Truce, but it was all too short-lived.

But we don’t have to look back 100-plus years to see short-lived truces of all kinds. Members of two political foes can stand on the Capitol steps and sing God Bless America only to give in to partisan political strife a few weeks later. Neighbors can give up their grudges for a peaceful holiday season only to rekindle strife the next week. Brothers and sisters in Christ can behave in church only to engage in cut-throat business competition. And husbands and wives, parents and children, and even kissing cousins can get crosswise with each other.

Peace is a gift from Jesus. But it seems so very difficult to maintain. That’s why Paul urges the Ephesian Christians (and us),

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, ³ eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. -Ephesians 4:1-3

We experienced a wonderful Sunday-after Easter worship service while traveling earlier this year. The pastor made the point: When Jesus said, “Peace be with you!”, it wasn’t a wish. It was a gift. This is God’s gift to us. We have peace with God. It is a given. That being so, we must live at peace with one another. God’s gift of peace calms the heart and makes peace possible between sister and brother in Christ. That is truly good news.