Peace-making?

Today's news reminds me that making peace is a difficult process.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has invited Iran to attend preliminary Syrian peace talks in Geneva. This has threatened the active involvement of Syria's opposition, as well as drawing a warning from the US. After nearly 3 years of terrible conflict, leading to the displacement of millions of Syrians, these talks are necessary if peace is to be given a chance.

Hopes for peace in Southern Sudan and the Central African Republic are also very slight, in view of the astonishing levels of inter-communal violence from both sides.

By contrast, the trouble amongst the Liberal Democrats looks very slight.

But in every case, the difficulty of making real peace is profoundly problematic.

The Bible has many stories of people finding the journey to peace both difficult and possible.

Jacob & Esau had become enemies over the issue of the paternal blessing associated with being the first-born. But they did become at least partially reconciled. 'As he approached his brother, Jacob bowed to the ground seven times before him. Then Esau ran to meet him and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.' (Genesis 34.3-4)

Both men had been changed in their attitude towards each other, as the story makes clear. The past could not be undone, but their future didn't have to be shaped by the past.

The ultimate example of difficult peace-making is seen in the death of Jesus. ' For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near.' (Ephesians 2.14, 16-17)

The costly peace-making of Jesus is what gives us hope in our relationships with one another and with God. I thank Jesus for what He has done for me.

All of us are called to be peace-makers, in our difficult and broken world. This is both difficult and possible, and requires that we keep close to Jesus, so that his mercy and grace may flow outwards from us. It is costly, as Jesus discovered. Are we willing to follow his example?

Best wishes,

Richard