Verse of the Day 4/5

Through the Bible - Judges 18-19, Luke 11:1-36

 

Good morning,

One of the things that the world desparately needs is peace.  We yearn for peace when battling illness, in strained relationships, in finances, and just about every area of our lives.  It is something that can only truly be found in a right relationship in Jesus and through what He accomplished on the cross.

For today's verse we'll go to Luke chapter 10 which was the reading over the weekend in the read through the Bible plan above.  Jesus is sending out His followers with the gospel of peace.  It is the first thing that should come out of their mouths.  How much can we learn from this?

Luke 10: 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, Peace be to this household! [Freedom from all the distresses that result from sin be with this family].

    ⁶And if anyone [worthy] of peace and blessedness is there, the peace and blessedness you wish shall come upon him; but if not, it shall come back to you.  - Amplified Bible

 In a commentary on this passage Henry Wansbrough writes, "The first words of the missioners are to be "Peace to this house", and they are to bring peace to those who will receive it.  This is more than the conventional Jewish greeting (still used today) of Shalom.  Luke sees the gospel importantly as "the good news of peace", as Peter announces to Cornelius and his household in Acts.  Right from the beginning of the gospel the angels at the nativity sing "On earth peace' and Zacharias canticle starts "Now, Master, you are letting your servant go in peace" when he received the child Jesus.  The sinful woman who weeps on Jesus' feet is told to go in peace with her sins forgiven.  The Gospel of John will give this concept an even greater depth, for the peace of Christ is part of the indwelling of Christ in His followers: "My peace I bequeath to you, my peace I give you".  Peace is the final blessing of Jesus in the discourses at the Last Supper, and again His greeting to them in the upper room after the resurrection.  In a world of unrest, turbulence, malice and agression, the Christian gift of peace is beyond value.  So each of Paul's letters begins with the greeting of peace and many of them end in it too.  Peace must be founded on respect for others and their needs, avoiding the temptation to domineer or insist on one's own interest."

 

If we are trying to reach others for Christ, are words of peace the first words out of our mouths and hearts?  You don't have to look for in the news today to see that this is not the case.

 

How is this possible?  It is not of or from ourselves, it comes from a heart fixed on Christ and what He accomplished.  Only He can give us the "peace that passes understanding" (Philippians 4:7).

 

Isa 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!  NLT

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

Luke 10:1-10

The Seventy Sent Out

10 After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.  3 Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.  4 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.  5 But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.'  6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you.  7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.  8 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.  9 And heal the sick there, and say to them,'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
NKJV