"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all." 2 Thessalonians 3:18 I have to admit, I am not a fan of going to antique malls or stores. In fact, I would probably rather have hot pokers shoved in my ears than spend a day "antiquing". Now this is exactly the opposite from my mom, dad and brother. They love going from store to store finding one bargain after the next. When I have gone with them, I usually gravitate towards the old pictrures or post cards that people were selling. It was always interesting to read what others wrote, and the messages they were sharing with other people. You get quite the glimpse into what people were experiencing and some of the family dynmamics that were going on, as well as the feelings that were at the front and center of the people's hearts and minds as they wrote. As we read the New Testament, we have the chance of getting a glimpse at what St. Paul is feeling and the emotions that are at the front and center of his heart as he writes his various epistles or letters to the early churches. Some of what he writes we might not quite understand since it doesn't seem to apply to our situation here and now, yet so much of what he writes to these first Christians is as applicable today as it was centuries ago. Take the words that he says to the church in Thessalonica. Here this early group of Christians was so excited about the Lord, they were growing in their faith, and they were learning what it meant to be a follower of Christ. Paul gives them some words of instruction in his two letters about the return of the Lord, about the man of lawlessness, keeping away from idleness and living a life pleasing to God. In his second letter, however, he closes with this beautiful benediction asking for the Lord to give them peace, at all times and in every way. Today it seems as if our lives are in overload. It seems like we don't know how to slow down, how to find rest, or even how to gain peace for our lives. It seems like there is always one thing after the next that we have to contend with from running our children to endless activities, worries about finances or medical issues, or struggles with our relationship with others or our spouse. In fact, many things cause us to become overwhelmed and destroy the peace in our lives. Yet the words that Paul writes to this early church are the words that bring great comfort to us as well. We know that we have peace because our peace comes from Christ. Theough His sacrivice on the cross, we have sins forgiven and life everlasting. We have the assurance that though the devil tries to tear us down and destroy us, Jesus has destroyed the power of sin, death and the devil. Jesus has given us hope. Jesus has given us joy. Jesus has filled us with a peace that surpasses all human understanding. So, when you are overwhelmed, when things seem as if they are spinning out of control, stop, look at the cross and know that you have peace from the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Never do we have to wonder, never do we have to be afraid, never do we have to be overwhelmed. Jesus is with us. He fills us with His Word and Sacraments. He encourages us with the promises He makes. He promises that He is our friend who will never leave us nor forsake us. Most importantly, He gives us peace at all times and in every way. May you rejoice and give thanks in the peace which is yours which surpasses all human understanding that keeps your hearts and minds in your Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. |
