Gospel of Peace

Albert Bogle June 14, 2023 2 1

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Ephesians 2: 14-18 (NRSVA)

14 For he is our peace; in his flesh he has made both groups into one and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us. 15 He has abolished the law with its commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new humanity in place of the two, thus making peace, 16 and might reconcile both groups to God in one body through the cross, thus putting to death that hostility through it. 17 So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; 18 for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.

The fourth point to remember about the Gospel is that it brings peace into our hearts. The prophet Isaiah writes: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news… who proclaim peace” (Isaiah 52: 7) It’s easy to get the peacemaker mixed up with the peace announcer.

The peacemaker has a less joyful task. Often the peacemaker has to take into themselves the wounds of both sides, almost absorbing the hurt in order to bring both sides together. Peace is always a costly endeavour. Here in our reading today the apostle Paul reminds us that we have been reconciled to God and one another through the costly love of Jesus Christ. On the cross he took our pain and sorrow and sinfulness into himself and has brought about peace in our divided identities.

The cross, absorbs our hostilities. This is more than a theological understanding of the cross. It is an invitation to realise the depth of God’s love for humanity, because He is the peacemaker, we can be the beautiful feet that carry the good news of reconciliation. But the peacemaking belongs to him.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus

Forgive us

For in our haste to announce the peace

We overlooked the costliness of peacemaking

Thank you that peace can reign in our hearts

Because you have borne our grief and absorbed our retaliations

In you justice and mercy meet

And love nailed forgiveness to your cross

And cried it is done

The peace is won

Today

We lift to you those who have stood in the middle

Those who like You

Have been misunderstood

Vilified as traitors and betrayers

Those who have carried the burden of peacemaking

Only to be betrayed

Those who have sought forgiveness

And those who have being willing to forgive

Enduring suffering and even died in the process

Lord Jesus

Today we celebrate the peacemakers

For you have blessed them with an inheritance

Far beyond earthly value

QUESTION: Have I given up on peacemaking because I have been afraid of being misunderstood?