Message from the Manse...

Message in the June 2010 edition of Fellowship...

MINISTER’S MESSAGE

“Let there be peace on earth”?

With global tension and conflict always in the news, one wonders if there will ever be lasting peace on earth.  Was it easier for the first followers of Jesus? 

You remember the situation they found themselves in, after the momentous events of that Passover week when their Lord allowed Himself to be put to death. They had gone into hiding – or at least, they were meeting behind locked doors - afraid that the Jewish authorities might go after them.  

They didn’t react positively to the message Mary Magdalene brought them on the Sunday morning, after she had met the resurrected Jesus.   But would we have reacted any differently?   No doubt we would have bolted our doors too, but that evening locked doors were no obstacle to the risen Lord.  He entered both the room and their lives, transforming their fear and disbelief into shalom – peace. 

“Shalom!” is a traditional word of welcome amongst Jews, but clearly this greeting by Jesus held a far greater depth of meaning.  Christ’s “Peace!” removed the disciples’ fear;  and as if that wasn’t enough, Jesus conferred on them the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The means of transformation was Jesus’ gift to them on Easter Day.  They became Easter people, empowered by God the Holy Spirit, sent out by God the Son, to bring everyone the wonderful good news of God the Father.

 

The good news from God is still so relevant today:  if people (of all nations) receive God’s forgiveness, then they are able to forgive others, and so live at peace with one another. 

Is it easy?  No!   

Is it possible? Yes!

If we are Easter people, living in the enabling of God the Holy Spirit, then we can pray that all nations may experience God’s gracious gift of peace, beginning with our own lives.  Let’s not give up praying!

Praise God for all signs of hope, such as the greatly increased demand for God’s holy word reported recently by the Bible Society – especially in China, and even in Islamic nations, in Israel and elsewhere – because individual lives are being transformed by God’s peace, through faith in Jesus Christ, our living Lord and Saviour. 

Shalom!  Peace be with you!

Edward.