Opinion: Perspectives from readers

At Christmas time I saw a small angel figurine with these words: “Peace on earth.” That’s all it said. I’m thinking, peace among nations. But is that what was announced? Not according to the angel.

In Luke 2:14 in The Message by Eugene Peterson, the angel says, “Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.” The NIV says, “and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” “Peace on earth” is not promised. The angel promises “peace to those who please God.” There’s a big difference. Full “peace on earth” awaits Christ’s second coming.

Is not the supreme peace message what the angel told Joseph, “You shall call his name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21)? That’s peace.

The New Testament speaks of peace more than 100 times. Almost without exception it refers to peace that comes after receiving Christ. Paul says, “Christ is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). Christ is the engine and power of the Gospel Express; the cargo is love, joy, peace, “love your enemies.” All this cargo is limited in power apart from Christ, the engine.

Jesus told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight. But now my kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36). Many expected a Messiah bringing “peace on earth” to free them from Rome. That hope for “peace on earth” is here today. It’s a longing we all share. But is this our highest calling?

In contrast, Jesus surprises us: “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, … they will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother” (Luke 12:51-53). Why this seeming contradiction? The answer may be that Jesus brings peace only to those who choose him. Now in the church, family and community we can experience the peace of Christ—“the wolf will lie down with the lamb” (Isaiah 11:6). In the new birth, Christ transforms our natures.

Isaiah 9:6-7 says, “And he will be called the Prince of Peace.” Peace and justice are his domain, enlisting us as co-workers. “Of the increase of his government (church) and peace there will be no end.” Think how Christ’s peace grew from few to millions today.

His peace (vs. “peace on earth”) is growing making us reconcilers: “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Is this not our highest task until Jesus returns?

Is Jesus against world peace, or is it a matter of timing? “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but the end is still to come” (Matthew 24:6-7). Then Jesus unveils the end time: “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached to all the world … and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). Finally peace on earth arrives in full. Jesus Christ and the Father come to dwell with their people (Revelation 21:1-5). Finally no more war.

I welcome feedback, pro or con. Our primary peace message is the gospel of Jesus Christ—his life, death, resurrection and coming again. In seminary a fellow student said it isn’t important that Jesus lived, just so we practice his teachings. Sounds good, but is this true? Can we live his teachings without Christ?

As Christian peacemakers we model Christ, who is the key to peacemaking. When such peace is first, more peace on earth happens. This affirms why Jesus makes sharing the gospel paramount. His final orders were, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them”(Matthew 28:16-20, John 20:21). Jesus knows that earth’s peoples are minus hope without him. He also knows that peace on earth, if such were fully possible now, would in itself not bring the genuine peace (redemption) God promised. The goal of peace on earth represents what is passing; the gospel represents the eternal.

I heard of a congregation where two-thirds of its 150 members are from other than Mennonite homes. And the pastor almost always is teaching a new believer’s class. Are they not fulfilling the angel’s primary peace prophecy, known to us as the gospel?

Does the gospel of Christ have highest priority, or has the goal of “peace on earth” (or anything else) taken first place? Does neglecting our supreme calling encourage the declining church growth here in the West? Does this not call for our close and prayerful examination?

Eugene Souder is former editor of Our Faith Digest and lives in Grottoes, Va.