Christ the Preacher of Peace
Daily Reflection / Produced by The High Calling
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Ephesians 2:17-18
According to Ephesians 2:17
Paul's language of "preaching peace" is inspired by two passages from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah. In Isaiah 57:19
And what was the essence of Christ's "sermon"? As we have seen, his death brought peace between Jews and Gentiles by removing the barrier that had once separated them. But, the immediate context of verse 17 suggests that the peace Christ "preached" was, first of all, an announcement of peace between God and all of humankind. We'll see this more clearly in tomorrow's reflection.
For now, I want to consider the metaphor of preaching peace. Jesus was, to be sure, a unique preacher of peace. He alone forged lasting and pervasive peace through his death on the cross. Yet, as followers of Jesus, we, too, have been called into the ministry of preaching peace, or, if you will, peacemaking (Matt. 5:9
QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: In what ways are you a "preacher of peace"? Where, in your life, is there a need for the peace of Christ? How might you be a peacemaker today?
PRAYER: Thank you, dear Lord, for "preaching peace" to all people, to those far away as well as those who were near. Thank you for being the one who inaugurated the peace of God on earth through, not just your words, but even more through your death on the cross. Thank you for allowing me to enjoy peace with God and to share God's peace with others. Help me, Lord, to imitate you by being a "preacher of peace" in my part of the world. Amen.
Image courtesy of Laity Lodge, one of our sister programs in the Foundations for Laity Renewal.