Peace.
It seems so great but at the same time impossible. Every time you turn on the news or scroll through social media there seems to be hurt, pain, destruction, anger, death..etc. All things very opposed to peace. Just this last week there was another shooting at a school where lives were lost. Absolutely horrible and heartbreaking. So when I say the word Peace it seems like a good idea but impossible in our world.
The problem we have is that humanity is looking for answers and peace in things that can never give peace. They look for peace in politics, money, food, family, relationships...etc. These all can bring good things but they can never bring ultimate peace...that peace that reaches your soul.
This week we celebrate is Holy Week, the week leading up to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Yesterday was Palm Sunday, the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem. There is one thing I want to say here today related to peace. After Jesus rode into the city it records that he wept over the city.
And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it. saying, ' would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes...[Luke 19:41-42]
Jesus looked at the city and all the people in it and wept. Why did he weep? They were missing what was right in front of them, Jesus. They were looking for peace while missing the Prince of Peace standing right there. He wept because everything they looked to to bring them peace and security would fail. Only Jesus could bring true peace.
I note this today because I want to challenge all of us. What do we look to to bring us peace? Not just a calmness for a day but a soul at rest. The Prince of Peace , Jesus, has come to bring us peace. He came to conquer our sin and death and bring forgiveness, joy , new life and peace. However, we often act like the people of Jesus time and miss it. We look for peace in other things while the Prince of Peace is standing right there, calling us home. Will you answer Jesus call or keep on seeking for peace in things that can never give it?