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Topic: Peace (03/15/04)
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TITLE: Can We Accept the Peace By Bobbye Terry 03/16/04 |
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Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you;
not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Can We Accept The Peace?
When my nephew Garreth was three, Tracy, my sister, dressed him up in his Sunday best and took him to the mall to have his photograph taken with Santa Claus. The line to see Santa was long, and they inched their way to him. Just as they got to the front of the line, and Santa held out his arms to Garreth so he could lift him, my nephew began to cry and yanked on my sister’s arm. “I don’t want to sit in his lap!”
Mortified, Tracy led him away. Once they were out of sight, Tracy bent down to him and said, “That’s okay honey. It’s not important. Christmas is Jesus’ birthday anyway.” Garreth’s chin jutted up and he answered, “If he’s here, I don’t want to sit in his lap either.”
How many of us would sit in Jesus’ lap? How many would be afraid we’re not good enough to sit there? Afraid we live too much in this world and not enough in his? Ashamed to face him because he’ll see our faults, our failures and sins, and cry for our transgressions?
The New Testament tells us that many who saw Jesus as he healed the sick and disabled did not believe in him, were afraid of what they saw, and publicly ridiculed him. They wished to be a part of this world, not part of God’s plan leading to eternal life. But Jesus also told those who disbelieved in him to at least believe in his works. For that, many Jews wished to stone him, arrest him.
Where do you stand? Do you believe in Jesus? Do you believe in his works? Will you sit in his lap, give your life to him, and be part of his plan? If so, you will find peace because it will be given to you.
Dear Lord,
Please let us have the faith and the strength to place ourselves in your hands and sit in your son’s lap. Let us follow your teachings and reach out to those who are afraid of doing likewise, who wish to cling to this world and its worldly things instead of finding peace. Please help us to find a way to tell them that they need not be troubled in this troubled world, but can find the contentment born from accepting Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord.
Amen