PEACE? ON EARTH?

OH, THAT. It’s difficult to read the Bible without tripping over the word “peace” as a core imperative.
“Oh, yeah.”
“Oh, that.”
We assume we know what it is referring to, gloss over the word, and read on for the “real meat.”

THE REAL MEAT. What if peace IS the “real meat?” What if we are inadvertently minimizing, by sheer familiarity with a word, something vital to faith and action?

LOOKING OVER A... Of the numerous references to peace, I’ve tended to gloss over its mention in the birth of Jesus narratives most. There’s old Zechariah declaring, in his prophetic response to the birth of his son John and in reference to the impact of the coming Christ, “to guide our feet into the path of peace” (Luke 1:79).

EASY WORD? There’s an angel choir singing to Shepherds, on the eve of Jesus’ birth, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).

HARK TO A PATH. These birth narrative references are the first of many mentions of peace at critical moments in the Gospel story. They hark backward in reference to a peace that was possible but perhaps lost, latent, or unfulfilled. They hark forward to a way—a “path”—and present quality of life in this life, here and now.

GREETING CARD PHRASES? Was peace just a convenient word for Luke? Were these greeting card phrases only? If so, dismiss them as pabulum. If not, should we not explore their intended meaning as they take their place in the story of grace?

A PATH. What is the “path of peace” into which we are to be guided? Is it significant that the message is of peace ON EARTH and TO PEOPLE? What are we to make of this blessing?