The Peace Paradox

“Enemy-occupied territory---that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.” ~C.S. Lewis

What do you say to the person who questions Jesus' deity? They conclude that, because this world is full of war, death, disease, conflict (and it's on the news every day), the acclaimed "Prince of Peace" is either a fraud or he's not strong enough to hold the peace he vowed to bring. While we sit around a warm cackling fire, a tree full of marvelous gifts, and tables full of wonderful food, there are riots going on against police, terrorists attacking elementary schools, and starvation raging across whole nations. Obviously this story of a savior being born to bring peace to a broken world holds no meaning or merit.

 

Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ~Matthew 10:34 (NIV)

Sin will always wage war with peace on this earth. Jesus could force the world into order and sinners to repent, but he doesn't. What he did do was give us a way out. He brought "the sword" because his offer of true peace would split people apart. Jesus made followers, yes, but he also made enemies. The Word is a double-edged sword, and Jesus brought the truth of the Word to all peoples.

A Famous T-shirt logo, but very true when you think about it!

It is true that the peace Jesus brought was not one that would bring "world peace," but spiritual peace for those who choose to know him. It doesn't end there though, because simply knowing Jesus won't necessarily make your life nice and rosy. Sin makes life hard for us no matter where we stand, but Jesus promises that if we follow him, the Prince of Peace, we can find peace and comfort amidst hardships of many kinds.

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. ~John 16:33 (ESV)