I’ve had a particular anxiety
that has been plaguing me primarily on Saturdays for a few months. As I was
tossing and turning last Friday night, the thought popped into my mind,
“Shabbat shalom!” Not being Jewish, that’s not a thought that often comes to my
mind. It is a traditional Jewish greeting meaning “Sabbath peace.” It did not
escape my notice that the Sabbath begins at sundown Friday and continues
through Saturday. It reminded me that the peace of God comes from the God who
is Himself peace. As the Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-9 (ESV):
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by
prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to
God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus… Practice these things and the God of
peace will be with you.”
This Friday as the Jewish
Passover begins, Christians will be observing Good Friday and remembering the
crucifixion and burial of Jesus. The disciples, who had run from the garden of
Gethsemane, likely did not think of this as a day of Sabbath peace. They were
probably filled with both sorrow and anxiety as they mourned their Rabbi and wondered
what the future held. Little did they know that the God of peace was doing a
new thing.
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and
has broken down in His flesh the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14).
“And you, who once
were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in
His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and
above reproach before Him” (Colossians 1:21-22).
Through the horrendous death of
Jesus, whom we recognize as the true Messiah, shalom was made possible for all
who will believe in Him. Biblical shalom doesn’t mean just a peaceful state of
mind or a lack of conflict, but of wholeness and well-being. Only by being
reconciled with God are we made both whole and holy. Our deepest need is
fulfilled in Christ alone.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely,
and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of
our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it” (1
Thess. 5:23-24).
As we move through this Easter week,
may we find shalom from the God of peace, whose love surpasses understanding.
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord
Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant,
equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that
which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever
and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).
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Here is a short chorus that
often comes to mind, “He Is Our Peace.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0dU5zcclRQ
© 2019 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise
indicated all images are copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions
stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
