true peace forever
"Coming within sight of the city, [Jesus] wept over it and said: 'If only you had known the path to peace this day; but you have completely lost it from view!' " —Luke 19:41-42
Jesus wept over Jerusalem because it had not known "the path to peace" (Lk 19:42) and would be destroyed by the Romans in 70 A. D. Because Jesus "is our Peace" (Eph 2:14), not to know the path to peace is to not know Jesus. Jerusalem was destroyed because it failed to recognize the time of Jesus' visitation (Lk 19:44). We likewise will be at peace or be destroyed — depending on whether we recognize Jesus as Lord, Savior, and God.
Jesus is a Sign of contradiction (Lk 2:34) and a stumbling Stone (1 Pt 2:8). If we accept Jesus on His terms, we will live the abundant life (Jn 10:10) of love and enter into the perfect peace of eternal life. But if we do not accept Jesus, we will not only be destroyed but damned forever.
Consequently, let us accept Jesus as our Peace, Lord, Savior, and God. Let us not stumble over the cross but recognize it as the hope of the world, for Jesus makes "peace through the blood of His cross" (Col 1:20). Let us tell as many people as possible that the crucified Jesus is our only Peace. In this way, we will be peacemakers in the greatest way (Mt 5:9).
Peace to you. Peace in Christ, our Peace.
Prayer: Father, make me like Jesus so that I am willing to die for peace.
Promise: "Many who sought to live according to righteousness and religious custom went out into the desert to settle there." —1 Mc 2:29
Praise: Katherine prayed through her difficult relationship with her mother-in-law and came to the point where she could love and serve her with a pure heart.
Reference: (Be a peacemaker by teaching the Bible. Order our tapes on the Bible Teachers Series. Our eight tape audio series starts with AV 5A-1. Our four-part video series starts with V-5A.)
Rescript:
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Giles H. Pater, April 24, 2003
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 28, 2003