“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you.”
- Luke 10:5-6
Jesus by this point has amassed quite the following, this time he takes 72 of His closes followers and entrusts them to go on ahead and prepare the way in many towns for Him. They go forth in all the same authority that Jesus sent the 12 with. They can cast out demons, heal the sick, and proclaim the message of the Kingdom! A following of this size, some would probably worry this was some conquering army, looking to recruit for its siege on Jerusalem. Yet we know that is not Jesus’ motive. So these disciples are sent with nothing. They were specifically asked not to bring any money, bags, or sandals. Instead, they were to be fully reliant on the hospitality of others and enter the towns and houses in peace.
No doubt, Jesus knew how others perceived Him, perhaps fearing He was amassing an army. Yet, Jesus did not come to inflict violence, but to bring peace. Their actions and their message were of peace and wholeness. He speaks of recruiting people not as armies of bodies, but rather speaks of a harvest, of people having grown ready to be stored in heaven’s Kingdom.
The sword was not the method, peace was His means.
This was not without any warning. Jesus’ message was an invitation to the Kingdom of Peace, an opportunity for repentance, and a call to love. Yet, there is also a choice to reject the said invitation. This is not to say Jesus then meets those people with the sword, but rather they are surrendered to head to the destination they were already going, a kingdom void of love and peace, a place separated from God. So there is a great warning to those that reject.
Some did, and some still will reject this gracious invitation. Yet, while we believers still draw breath and while many others still live, all the more we should feel sent to proclaim and offer peace.
This in itself is an act of conquering. We have far too long downplayed the boldness it takes to create and proclaim and live in peace. It is not inaction, rather it is enduringly pursuing restoration for all that is around us. Upon the 72’s peaceful and joyful return, Jesus proclaims how He has seen Satan fall like lightning! For they created peace, people repented, and thus Satan loses. Satan lays a false claim upon many across this world. There are realities that we do not fully understand that have considerable influence. Repentance and Peace break their influence and diminish it to nothing. For they thrive in division, but in peace there is no division.
Peace is a constant invitation.
Alongside their conquering though Jesus seeks to clarify their motivations and why we do this all in peace. Yes, evil is conquered, but we further seek to rejoice in what names get written in heaven! The names of those who are sons and daughters of peace. Of those confronted with the invitation and accept. Of those who love God and love their neighbor. Our motive is not about territory, it is through creating an expanding peaceful community.
Immediately following this story of the 72, comes a parable teaching that reinforces what Jesus’ community is about. A lawyer asks Jesus the question, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” What does it take to have my name written in heaven? What distinguishes your community from others?
Love God with all of everything you have, and love your neighbor.
This is true, but what about my bully? What about those who disrespect me? What about those who smell and act weird? What about those who don’t believe in Jesus? What about those who have a different worldview? What about those who… And the list can go on and on, yet Jesus answers every item on this list, not with characteristics but with a charge to mercy, peace, and compassion.
There was a man, beaten up and bloody on the side of the road, close to death. Along came a Priest, but knowing that going near the man would defile him, he went on without a second thought of helping as a true Priest. Shortly after came a Levite, but for the same reasons he went on ahead. But then came a Samaritan. A person typically hated by Jews. This man stopped, dressed the wounds of the man, and took him to an inn where he covered all the expenses until the man was better. He acted in peace, as the true neighbor, the one truly fulfilling the commandment.
There is one final story, that helps clarify this actionable peace. Yet this story centers on our love for God. As Jesus goes on his journey, he comes to the home of Mary and Martha, likely they hosted a pair of disciples of Jesus that he sent on ahead. They heard who Jesus is and what He is about. Martha though, busies herself as host, not taking the time to truly adore Jesus for the man she has heard Him to be. Mary, on the other hand, can not get enough of Jesus, having not left His feet. She is fully at peace, totally captivated by Jesus. Peace conquered her heart.
Final Blessing:
Peace conquers. Peace took over Mary’s heart. Peace took over and healed the man left for dead. Peace booted Satan to the curb. Peace follows Jesus. Peace is sent by Jesus. Center your life on Jesus, acting out in peace. In peace, we feel the assurance of the work Jesus has done to write our names in heaven. In love, we act in love and move out in love. Peace is not idly by but is moving and acting and conquering.
Now may the Lord of Life and Redemption be with you in every step, every breath, and every heartbeat of your journey!
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