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FeaturesApril 13, 1997

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword." "PEACE BE TO YOU" These words are from the same man, Jesus Christ. The first quote is from a time when Jesus was teaching His followers before He was hung on a tree to die for apparent blasphemy. The second quote was said by Him to the same group on Easter evening...

Rev. Don Reder

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."

"PEACE BE TO YOU"

These words are from the same man, Jesus Christ. The first quote is from a time when Jesus was teaching His followers before He was hung on a tree to die for apparent blasphemy. The second quote was said by Him to the same group on Easter evening.

Contradictory? Seems so! So who wants peace? For people in varied walks of life, fighting is exhilarating ... brings out the 'best' (or worst?) in a person. "Read/'tune in' to the media for verification!) Did Jesus mean that He came to promote war? Hardly! What His words predicted were that people would be in disagreement/war over who He was and what He meant when He taught. That's why a man would turn against his father, daughter against mother, etc. "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me." ...The Son of Man will be betrayed ... They will condemn him to death...be mocked and flogged and crucified. On third day He will be raised to life!" THOSE ARE FIGHTING WORDS!

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But to those who believe ...

They are words of peace, bought with His blood and His death and His resurrection. The signs of these words are in His hands, feet and side as seal of His resurrection.

To these signs Thomas, one of His followers, said, "My Lord and My GOD!" Jesus replied, 'Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

The peace that Jesus gives is the situation of peace when nothing disturbs our relation to God -- whether we 'feel' it or not! "My peace" must mean, "the peace I establish for you." This condition of peace Jesus gives us a treasure, whether we at once enter into the full consciousness and enjoyment of it or not. The 'feeling' will come in due time when the faith in the peace He earned for all people prevails in me! Let Jesus' peace be yours this Eastertide.

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