“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV
Reflection: how would you define “peace”?
Over the past several years, we have witnessed some horrific disasters around the world. From wars to fires and floods, so many people have lost loved ones, lost their homes, their belongings and livelihoods. And if you are in the middle of such a storm in life, the whole idea of “peace” might seem so strange, so foreign and so unrealistic. At least the way we often think about peace. Since we often get so many of our definitions from a “worldly perspective”, consider how you think of and define peace in your life, in your relationships, in your families. Take a moment, close your eyes if you can, and imagine a very peaceful setting, perhaps a specific peaceful moment, when you felt totally at peace. Try to describe to yourself what made it so peaceful. Was it external peace, or something deeper, a peace within you?
We can read many stories about peace in the Bible, such as the story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. Let’s read. “And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:23-26 ESV. We like to almost think of this story as a children’s story, right? Because, can that apply if you are staring at the rubble of a burnt down house? Or a flooded neighborhood? Or a war-torn city? The story of the storm is real, and we can learn so much from it.
The story of Jesus calming the waves and the wind by “rebuking” them seems strange, right? We rebuke people and spirits, and the weather is clearly not spiritual. The fact that Jesus “rebuked”, or corrected the weather is interesting, if we think of this story a bit more metaphorically. Sea and waves prophetically means large groups of people, and wind is spiritual. And while there should be no doubts that this story happened as it is written, there can also be this deeper meaning of what was happening around Jesus and his disciples at that time. The story is included as one of the stories of Jesus’ miracles. And, the more Jesus revealed to the people, especially the religious leaders, who He really was, the more opposition they got. It might even have felt to the disciples as if “they were drowning”. Jesus tells them,
“Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”
So here is the crux of peace; no fear. Our (natural) response to what is going on around us, physically and spiritually, can drive fear in us. But what Jesus is saying here is that this fear doesn’t come from God. He tells us to have faith in Him, the Creator of all, which drives out fear. It is knowing who actually is walking through whatever storm you are going through.
The final greeting and prayer for the Christians in Thessaloniki was for peace, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.” Paul knew very well that they were persecuted (Acts 17), as were most of the believers were in the early churches. So Paul is not saying that they not have storms and problems as they stand on the Word of God. No. He is praying that the “Lord of peace” will give them an inner peace, beyond the physical circumstances.
It is a relevant story for us today. Many Christians, even in western countries, are persecuted when they openly and publicly profess your faith in Jesus Christ and stand on the Word alone. You might even have experienced a similar thing at your job, in your neighborhood or among friends and family. Or, perhaps you are going through a rough time in your life, losing your job, your home, or even your health. Jesus doesn’t say that we will not have trouble in this world. Actually, quite the opposite. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”” John 16:33 ESV. And therefore, He also says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27 ESV. And it is with that understanding Paul writes “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 ESV.
Receive His peace, from the Lord of peace.
