In Times of Unrest...

Whether something occurs in our homes, our schools, our country, or our world, it’s easy to become overwhelmed with frustration or even depression. It’s easy to find ourselves caught up in political debate or arguments, disillusionment or disappointment in leaders, and apprehension or fears of global turmoil.

It’s a natural time to question God’s presence in the midst of the unrest. And it’s very human to ask ourselves who’s right, who’s wrong, and which issues really matter.

Yet it’s interesting, because most of us don’t think much about Jesus’s response to economic, social or political unrest. We may think nothing in His words or the Bible truly applies to our modern upheaval, even though Jesus’s day was full of tension among Romans, Jews, Samaritans, religious leaders, sects and laypeople. The Temple was frequently at the heart of these tensions as the center of devotion, controversy, expectation and identity. The author Josephus mentioned more than a dozen rebel and social bandits whom Herod and the Roman government executed.

With that being the case, it perhaps makes more sense why many Jews had been expecting–and were subsequently disappointed–their messiah to be a political leader. Even throughout the history of the church after Jesus, we see so many become swept up in politics. When we look to Christ, on the other hand, we find Him focused on a mission and His work from the Father.

So while we don’t see our saviour engulfed in a political mission, we do see Him committed to love and peace:

“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”
-Matthew 22:37-40

“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
-John 13:35

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
-John 14:27

“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”
-John 18:36

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
-Matthew 5:3-10

Whenever we find ourselves discouraged by world events, whether near or far, an appropriate response is to look to Christ and ask ourselves how we can exhibit His own love and walk in the peace he gave us.

How do YOU live out the love and peace of Jesus? Head over to our Facebook page and let us know.