And
he will be their peace (Micah 5:5).
This
verse tells of a promised ruler coming from the town of Bethlehem, and has long
been seen by the church as a prophecy of Jesus’ birthplace. He will be their peace…, Prince of Peace… (Isaiah
9:6), Peace I leave with you (John
14:27).
But
on one very serious occasion in preparing his disciples for dark days ahead,
Jesus had this to say: Do not suppose
that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace,
but a sword (Matthew 10:34).
Then
he goes back to quote from Micah 7:6 – For
I have come to turn “a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a
daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man’s enemies will be the members
of his own household” (vv. 35,36).
Could
Jesus be telling us we have an inaccurate picture of peace? Are we expecting
lambs frolicking among the wildflowers in a sun-drenched pasture? Hugs and
kisses, decreasing unemployment, and the Dow above 14,000? Passing around a
bottle of Coke and singing in perfect harmony?
Maybe
Jesus is saying that if we had all that we wouldn’t need his peace.
What
does peace look like to you? Do you think that’s what peace looks like to God?
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