Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. James 3:18
Lord Jesus, it’s the day on our calendar that now has its own dark branding, “9/11.” It’s hard to believe it was ten years ago today that we experienced a society-altering event of great evil. There have been many days in history which stand out as graphic reminders of the pervasive brokenness of the world—of just how far we have fallen and just how fully the peace of creation has been violated by sin. But in my lifetime, no day in American history tells that story more clearly than September 11, 2001.
I’ll never forget how it felt watching the twin towers of the World Trade Center crumble to the earth. It was surreal, frightful and chilling. We all felt violated and vulnerable. But as I remember that day of extreme terror and trauma, I also choose to remember you, Lord Jesus. Otherwise I would stoke my anger and relish the thought of even more revenge—things which contradict the gospel, and the life of peace-sowing and peacemaking to which you call us.
Indeed, Lord Jesus, you are the Prince of Peace—the archetypal Peacemaker. You are our peace—the One who destroys all hostilities; those between God and man, and man and man. You have come to make all things new, to restore broken things, to bring new creation delight from old creation decay.
Your death on the cross was the ultimate sowing of peace. As you died, taking the judgment we deserve, you were planted as the very seed which has secured an eternal harvest of righteousness. Your death was the death of death itself and the promise of eternal shalom.
Because of you, terror is terrified. Because of you, Lord Jesus, one day there will be no terror or tears. There will be no more brokenness or barrenness, no more heartaches or even heartburn, no more human trafficking or even human tooth decay, no more war or even aggravation, no more evil or even envy, no more poverty or even pouting, and no more “not yet,” “not enough,” or “not now.”
Our labors in you, King Jesus, are not in vain. Because of you we can, and must, live as peacemakers, sowing the peace of the gospel of the kingdom, with the absolute assurance that a harvest of righteousness is being raised and will be reaped. One Day the knowledge of your glory will cover the entire earth as the waters cover the sea, including Manhattan, Bagdad and Tehran.
We praise you that your name is Redeemer, Reconciler, and Restorer. We cry out loud, “Maranatha!” Come, Lord Jesus, come! Until that day, give us all the mercy, grace, and peace we need for this day. So very Amen, we pray with joy and hope.