May 2, 2014

Ephesians 2:17-18

So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Jesus is our peace

The center aisle was a moat dividing our congregation. When the peace of the Lord was announced everyone stood shook hands and exchanged polite hugs, a restrained, civilized affair.

No one stepped across the “center moat” that divided us in two parts. Too dangerous apparently, fear of drowning in a sea of peace, no one wanted to dive in.

But one day I said, “You have received the peace of Christ. With great and affection--and lots of noise--jump across the aisle and greet one another with a sign of peace.” It started slowly, but over the weeks laughter and commotion replaced politeness as worshipers jumped the moat and found people they wanted to bless. Physical and emotional unity replaced polite separation.

On good days, I lean against the baptismal font at the center front of the church and savor the site. I want it to go on and on. I want time to stop amid the joy and blessing being shared in not so peaceful ways. It’s a vision of God’s holy kingdom.

There are so many things that separate and divide human souls. In the ancient world Jew and Gentile were worlds apart, one near to God the other thought far off. Today, even our schedules separate us, making us strangers to God and each other as assuredly as our prejudices, politics and mistrust of those we don’t know.

But Jesus is our peace, and with great love he draws us into a great sea of  peace and blessing where what is shared is the love he is.

Prayer

Fills us with the Spirit of your peace that we may bless across the divides of our lives.

Pr. David L. Miller