Food for the Way: Peace
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:13-18)
For much of my life I have thought of myself as a peacemaker. I’m not sure if someone told me that term applied to me or if I chose it for myself, but it’s stuck around. There are some things about the idea of the peacemaker that feel true for me: I value harmony; I feel happy when people get along and there is a spirit of goodwill; I enjoy collaboration and understanding; and I don’t like conflict and discord. All that said, now I’m wondering if I am more of a peacekeeper than a peacemaker.
In Not the Way It Is Supposed to Be: A Breviary of Sin, Cornelius Plantinga described the Biblical idea of peace, shalom, in this way: “In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness and delight—a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.”
Peace is multifaceted and, as this definition implies, is more than a serene spa day, a conflict-free conversation, or a zen state of mind. Peace is not found in a place, a state of mind, or an experience—rather peace is found in a person.
The apostle Paul writes to the Ephesians that Jesus “himself is our peace.” He is our peace because he comes to the mess of our hostility and dysfunction and makes peace. God is creating wholeness and harmony right where there is discord, where there is no peace. Jesus comes to the mess to create peace.
But make no mistake: the act that brought us peace was not peaceful. It was violent and brutal. The cross is the last place we would think God could create peace. But it is. God makes peace in and through Jesus. But now that peace has been made for us, peace is offered for us to receive. Peace with God. Peace of God in us. Peace with one another. Peace in the world.
This peace in all parts of life is what my heart longs for, but I also don’t like that real peace comes through conflict. And yet, I know that this pattern is how things work—rupture and repair. Relationships are made right and find peace by facing the mess, having hard conversations, working through conflict; they are not made right by serenely dismissing the lack of peace and hoping for the best. When we serenely disregard the lack of peace, that’s not true peace or serenity. To be a true peacemaker is to be willing to face a lack of peace and make peace in that mess.
Trees are often used as a symbol of serenity. For us, that symbol of peace should go further: it should be a tree that produces fruit. In the Bible, fig trees represent well-being and security, bearing nourishing fruit that we receive and fruit that we give away to all. And Jesus makes this receiving and giving of the fruit of peace possible. He removes the barriers to peace so that we might live in peace with one another. We often think of peace as life without conflict or frustration or disappointment. Peace is not simply the absence of the negative but the wholeness and goodness of all of life.The Holy Spirit is at work making us a people of peace who receive, make, and give peace wherever it is needed.
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CONSIDER
How is the peace that the Spirit gives us more robust and whole than the idea of peaceful retreat our culture values?
Life is messy and people are messy. How do you keep people out of your own mess, therefore avoiding the possibility of peace? How are you hesitant to enter into the messes where peace is needed?
How can you be a peacemaker rather than just a peacekeeper in your relationships, your work, and the world?
Reflect Further
Read Micah 4:1-4. How does this passage flesh out the fullness of God’s peace (shalom)? How does this picture of God’s promised peace give you vision and courage for peace in your own life?
Artwork by Tess Miller. Additional design by Rachel Lee.
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