Readings: Numbers 21:4-9 | 1 Timothy 2:1-6 | John 16:31-33
Text: John 16:31-33
Isn’t it interesting that peace is usually the thing that everyone can agree on? You never see protests calling for war. Peace symbols adorn bumper stickers, but what sane person ever aspired to bloodshed?
So also in the current political atmosphere, the overwhelming sentiment is for peace. Peace between Israel and Palestine. Peace between Ukraine and Russia. Our hearts go out to those in areas torn by war, as we are able to go about our ordinary days generally free of fear.
And let’s be honest, this is on our minds as the May 21 primary election approaches. When we hear the words of St. Paul urging that “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life,” it really makes us want to choose those who will make for a peaceful and quiet life. We want that internationally, so much as is possible. Yet, especially for us, for our families and communities.
So, when we pray to God for peace, what do we expect? Shall there be at last an answer to that prayer? Will there at last be peace in the Middle East? Will Russia stop aggressions against Ukraine? Will college campus protests culminate in a mutual service of reconciliation?
The Lord would have us know of a peace that doesn’t wait on man to get his act together: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.” While we might be begging God for peace on the earth, an end to war and bloodshed, He teaches us to first of all to hope for and pursue something even greater.
God works all things together for good. He is actively involved in His creation. His ways, however, are not our ways. We know what He is doing: He is working out our salvation, bringing all things to work for the good of His children by faith. But it is hard for us to see how God is working and keeping His promises for us.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, unequivocally, that whatever we ask of the Father in His Name, the Father will give to us. Yet we have all asked for things which we thought would make our joy full that have not been given.
This is a mystery to us. It’s not a mystery of “what”—our God has at least made the “what” clear. It’s a mystery to us of “how.” The “what” is undeniable. God loves us in Christ Jesus. He is eager for us to repent and return to Him so that He might pardon us. He wants to hear our prayers and is ready to give us whatever we ask in His Name. He will make our joy abundant and full, and He gives us what it takes for that to be true. He has overcome the world on our behalf.
How it is that our joy is full, that He gives us whatever we ask in His Name—this is what is not so clear. People count their being blessed differently than how God counts it. God’s Word does not say that Blessed is he that is always busy or whose children are healthy. Our Lord instead says that the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the hungry and thirsty, the merciful, and the persecuted are blessed. He does not say that you are blessed because you have a good job and have never been beaten up. He says “blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)
Although how He will turn the adversities we know into blessing and joy is unknown to us, we follow Him nonetheless knowing that His way is good. As we walk by faith, not sight, our Lord teaches us that in Him we have peace. It’s not a peace that the world can understand. The world understands peace only as a cessation of war, an end to hostility. However, our Lord has something even greater which He shares with His disciples: a peace which is present and endures in every worldly circumstance.
“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
First what this doesn’t mean: It doesn’t mean that God is incapable of giving peace in the world, or relief from tribulation. Just because we find these things is not reason to believe that God has failed! It’s just that we should expect to have tribulation in the world. St. Peter says, “12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” (1 Pet. 4:12-13) No surprises, and “full disclosure” as they say. The Christian life in the “domain of darkness” is not going to be an easy one.
This also isn’t the Lord’s way of telling us to dig ourselves a whole or carve out an isolated community until He returns. Peace in this world is a good and godly pursuit! We care about an end to bloodshed, injustice, and all manner of evil that one person does to another, because we care about people. It was Cain, who was of the evil one, who mockingly replied, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9) The children of God care about what God cares about, and so we absolutely should pursue an end to warfare, hunger, and poverty. Even though it won’t be achieved fully until after our Lord’s appearing, we nevertheless do what God sets before us in our own place and time, and work diligently in it.
All of it, however, is built upon the peace which Jesus gives by His own death and resurrection. Are you looking for a peace that will survive the next election cycle? Look to Christ, your Lord. Are you desiring a peace which can outlast the whims of this world? Look to Christ, because He has overcome this world—with all of its pomp, all of its power, all of its desires.
Our peace is not of this world, even as our Lord and His Kingdom are not of this world [John 18:36]. While we pray for peace, and beg of our leaders, He teaches us that our peace as children of God is found in Him. He’s the One who has overcome the world—and still rules over it. In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.
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