Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” Matt. 26:52-54 (ESV)
I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler. No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. Isa. 60:17-18 (NIV)
Lord Jesus, we come to you today with cries of lament and sighs of longing. How long, O Lord, until you return and put an end to all violence—whether it’s in the streets of Chicago or the villages of Syria? How long before there’s no more warring nations, or even wagging tongues; no more sexual assaults or abuse of power?
When will the dawn break on the Day or no more arguing between friends, pettiness between spouses, and divisiveness in our churches? How long, O Lord, how long? When will rancor give way to righteousness, meanness get trumped by kindness, and winning be replaced with serving?
We yearn for the Day when “peace will be our governor” and “well-being our ruler”—when walls won’t be built with fear and selfishness, but with grace and salvation; when gates won’t be locked to keep others out, but open, to welcome your every-nation family into the New Jerusalem.
How long until lambs and wolves live together—the Day when there’s no right-wing or left-wing, just gospel-wings? How long, O Lord, how long until the knowledge of your glory will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea?
Until that Day, Jesus, help us to live by the gospel, not by the sword—by the way of your cross, not by the ways of mere men. You are the Prince of Peace—sovereign over angels and disciples, kings and conflicts. Grant us grace-seed to sow today, in light of the ultimate Day of the harvest of peace. So very Amen we pray, in your strong and loving name.