Peace Project, Reflection #2
Our second paper for our peacefulness project called us to reflect on how peacefulness was demonstrated in (1) the ministry of Jesus and (2) the death and resurrection of Jesus. Here are my thoughts...
THE SHALOM OF THE SAVIOR
October 3, 2005
Jesus exemplified the way of peace in his life and in his submission to death. In the resurrection he defeated the power of sin, death, and Satan, thus enabling those who accept him through faith to follow him along the way of peace and wholeness. The world disapproved of Jesus’ way of life and killed him, but God wholeheartedly approved and to show it he vindicated Jesus by raising him from the dead, thus giving credence to Christ’s authority to demonstrate what it is to live life in the Kingdom, in full submission to and trust in God. He, in intimate union with the Father, lived up to humanity’s potential and calls and empowers us to do the same.
Life & Ministry. The humble birth of the holy child that would bring peace to all creation was a paradigm for his life and ministry. In Jesus, divinity and humanity joined to bring wholeness to the world. Jesus lived in continuous contact with the Father, finding his identity, calling, and motivation in the Father’s testimony and will—rather than in attaining earthly comfort, wealth, or glory. His ministry was all about revealing the true glory of the Kingdom of God—a kingdom with a perfect ruler in search of servants to reflect his complete perfection. In contrast to worldly perceptions, the way of perfection and completeness is not worldly power, possessions, control, or coercion, but the power of love, trust, forgiveness, mercy, selflessness, and submission. Jesus did not force people to follow him, nor did he heal them against their will—his will and their faith cooperated. Jesus put the needs of others before his own—his compassion often overrode his need for solitude. Jesus broke societal barriers of acceptance, happily and hospitably communing with the marginalized of society. Jesus spoke out against the oppressive structures and people of society, showing that he desired leaders who would serve, take care of, empower, and ease the loads of others. Jesus was so committed to this way of life that he was willing to die in order to share it with others—to submit to the violence of the world in order to transform it. He lived life to the full, enabling us to do the same.
Death & Resurrection. Jesus death was a summation of his life of submission. His peaceful, loving, forgiving attitude throughout his trial and crucifixion demonstrated his ethical teachings regarding the way of the Kingdom. And the good news is God showed his approval of this way of life, of this type of commitment that so starkly contrasts with the ways of the world, by raising Christ from the dead. Thus, all people are authorized to adopt this way of life, knowing that they too will be accompanied by the suffering Savior throughout the journey and that they too will be vindicated on the last day. But this is not all of the good news.
It is also that the death and resurrection of Jesus have broken the entangling power of sin, death, and Satan. Accepting Jesus in faith, we are empowered to become like him and are freed by the love, grace, and mercy of God from our sinful past—from our lives lived contrary to God’s harmonious will for the world. Furthermore, in making reconciliation to God possible for all people, Christ created one new humanity, breaking down the barriers of hostility that dominate human relationships between differing peoples. In his death and resurrection Jesus created one, new, whole, peaceful humanity.
Key Death and Resurrection verses:
Romans 5:1-11; 6:5-11
Ephesians 2:14-18
...My next post will be about how practicing peacefulness requires and creates community.
THE SHALOM OF THE SAVIOR
October 3, 2005
Jesus exemplified the way of peace in his life and in his submission to death. In the resurrection he defeated the power of sin, death, and Satan, thus enabling those who accept him through faith to follow him along the way of peace and wholeness. The world disapproved of Jesus’ way of life and killed him, but God wholeheartedly approved and to show it he vindicated Jesus by raising him from the dead, thus giving credence to Christ’s authority to demonstrate what it is to live life in the Kingdom, in full submission to and trust in God. He, in intimate union with the Father, lived up to humanity’s potential and calls and empowers us to do the same.
Life & Ministry. The humble birth of the holy child that would bring peace to all creation was a paradigm for his life and ministry. In Jesus, divinity and humanity joined to bring wholeness to the world. Jesus lived in continuous contact with the Father, finding his identity, calling, and motivation in the Father’s testimony and will—rather than in attaining earthly comfort, wealth, or glory. His ministry was all about revealing the true glory of the Kingdom of God—a kingdom with a perfect ruler in search of servants to reflect his complete perfection. In contrast to worldly perceptions, the way of perfection and completeness is not worldly power, possessions, control, or coercion, but the power of love, trust, forgiveness, mercy, selflessness, and submission. Jesus did not force people to follow him, nor did he heal them against their will—his will and their faith cooperated. Jesus put the needs of others before his own—his compassion often overrode his need for solitude. Jesus broke societal barriers of acceptance, happily and hospitably communing with the marginalized of society. Jesus spoke out against the oppressive structures and people of society, showing that he desired leaders who would serve, take care of, empower, and ease the loads of others. Jesus was so committed to this way of life that he was willing to die in order to share it with others—to submit to the violence of the world in order to transform it. He lived life to the full, enabling us to do the same.
Death & Resurrection. Jesus death was a summation of his life of submission. His peaceful, loving, forgiving attitude throughout his trial and crucifixion demonstrated his ethical teachings regarding the way of the Kingdom. And the good news is God showed his approval of this way of life, of this type of commitment that so starkly contrasts with the ways of the world, by raising Christ from the dead. Thus, all people are authorized to adopt this way of life, knowing that they too will be accompanied by the suffering Savior throughout the journey and that they too will be vindicated on the last day. But this is not all of the good news.
It is also that the death and resurrection of Jesus have broken the entangling power of sin, death, and Satan. Accepting Jesus in faith, we are empowered to become like him and are freed by the love, grace, and mercy of God from our sinful past—from our lives lived contrary to God’s harmonious will for the world. Furthermore, in making reconciliation to God possible for all people, Christ created one new humanity, breaking down the barriers of hostility that dominate human relationships between differing peoples. In his death and resurrection Jesus created one, new, whole, peaceful humanity.
Key Death and Resurrection verses:
Romans 5:1-11; 6:5-11
Ephesians 2:14-18
...My next post will be about how practicing peacefulness requires and creates community.
posted by mitch | 7:44 PM
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