Have you ever ‘come in peace’ to a space and sensed hostility while there or on entering? It surely couldn’t have been comfortable. If you’re wondering what happens next, we have a mandate from Y’shua that might be helpful. Consider Today’s Holy Nougat.
Luke 10:5-6 CEVDCI
[5] As soon as you enter a home, say, “God bless this home with peace.” [6] If the people living there are peace-loving, your prayer for peace will bless them. But if they are not peace-loving, your prayer will return to you.
If God’s Peace is Absent
Siblings
It sounds like a straightforward plan. Bless the space.
Check to see whether God’s peace is received.
If it is, stay.
If not, leave.
Fair enough.
Let’s do it in Jesus’ name amen.
But is that what we do? And, having no extra clothing not money, does Y’shua truly expect us to walk away from a roof over our head?
Self-Check
When we have to deal with ‘war boat’ personalities, what is our default response?
Deeper Dive
But when we read the instruction yet again or unlike me, you noticed what it actually said at the first read, we realize that what Christ says is that the peace we offer will either stay in the house or return to us. Y’shua doesn’t actually say we ought to leave. (He knows we’re probably hoping that we don’t have to figure out another accommodation). So if we have no funds, we might find ourselves in a Hagar situation. We’re obliged to stick things out.
Interestingly, Y’shua doesn’t give a direct instruction for such situations. It could be that being Peacemakers, our presence transforms the space. At least while we’re there. I suspect that Y’shua is challenging us to remain peaceful in those moments – hopefully, I’m not the only one saying ouch.
Note also, our Nougat says, ‘If the people living there are peace-loving‘ … not, ‘If the people living there are maltreating us’. We’re asked to note whether they are people of peace. It is about the householders’ lifestyle, not necessarily about how they treat us. Could it be that we are sent as oases in such fragmented spaces, to show our hosts an alternate way?
In telling us that our Peace returns to us, it seems that Y’shua is saying that we don’t get the excuse to lose our cool. Nope. That doesn’t seem to be part of the plan. For those of us who are prone to getting hot under the collar, I suspect this message is ours. This is an offer to remain Peacemakers, possibly even become peace keepers. (And we still have to remain there).
This is an invitation to remain in Christ, Who keeps us in Perfect Peace (see Isaiah 26:3). He’s the One Who’ll help us remain level-headed in a stormy space. He’ll also speak directly to our spirits to tell us what to do. And, as we yield to God’s Spirit, we’ll find the grace to overcome.
Lord help us remain in Your peace.
Point to Ponder
It’s worth noting that Y’shua doesn’t direct us to change the person or fight fire with fire, He only tells us our peace will remain with us. Our task then is to be carriers of God’s peace always.
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May all we seek be found in Christ
