God's Last Words

“BANGING THE DRUM FOR WORLD PEACE!”

MATTHEW 21: 33-46 (NRSV)

I have read about and am aware of many churches engaging in the practice of sitting around and drumming for “world peace.” Now I don’t want to suggest I’m making fun of anyone with such lofty desires but I wonder how much they really accomplish except for making themselves and their ears feel better. It certainly doesn’t seem as if peace is catching on anywhere.

 

The concept of peace is being lost in our world because nobody remembers where to look for it.  

A woman was walking along the beach when she stumbled upon a Genie's lamp. She picked it up and rubbed it, and lo-and-behold a Genie appeared. The amazed woman asked if she was going to receive the usual three wishes.

The Genie said, "Nope ... due to a stagnant economy, constant downsizing, low wages in third-world countries, and fierce global competition, I can only grant you one wish. So ... what will it be?"

The woman didn't hesitate. She said, "I want peace in the Middle East. See this map? I want these countries to stop fighting with each other."

The Genie looked at the map and exclaimed, "Ghee wiz, lady! These countries have been at war for thousands of years. I'm good, but not THAT good! I don't think it can be done. Make another wish."

The woman thought for a minute and said, "Well, I've never been able to find the right man, one that's considerate and fun, likes to cook and helps with the housecleaning, whowould also get along with my family, doesn't watch sports all the time, and is faithful. That's what I wish for ... the perfect man."

The Genie let out a long sigh and said, "Let me see that map again!

Peace? Is peace possible? How can humanity have peace when we are so self-centered, envious,andwant to do only what we want to do?

Do you remember seeing the recent article in the paper about people seeking peace here in Hagerstown? They sat in a circle and beat on “drums of universal peace” and chanted John Lennon’s godless “Imagine” until they felt like they had contributed to the world peace effort – but nothing really changed. And nothing will change.

Why? Sources say our world may have experienced only about 200 years of relative peace in its 6000 year plus existence. Why? Human nature, that’s why.

First we have to define what actual peace is. Is peace the absence of war or sitting around the campfire and singing kum-baya and feeling good? Or is it something the world will never know because it has never sought the real source of peace?

An unknown source one said, “Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always.” So peace might not be something we humans have control over, but is a gift of grace from God through Jesus!

Peace is mentioned some 429 times in the scriptures (102 times in the New Testament).

The Hebrew word is “shalom,” while the Greek word is “eirēnē (pronounced a-ra-na).” Peace can be both a noun and a verb; you can have peace, you can do peace, and you can give peace.

The most important verse, I feel, regarding peace comes from John 16: 33 and says,

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

We as believers in Jesus need never fear because He has overcome the world and has promised to give peace not as the world knows..

What is the source of hatred and animosity in the world? Certainly a lot of it has to do with coveting possessions, power, and things on the other side of fences. Listen to the story of the Landowner, the vineyard, and the tenants, and learn about the peace of Christ that is coming (from Matthew 21: 33-46):

"Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country.

When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way.

Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time."

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'?

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls."

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

The most important point of Jesus’ message here, as He debates the Priests and Elders is that they do have the right to do whatever they want; but they will be held accountable for what they do as humans were given free will.But their choices have destroyed their peace. 

Do you remember the “Humanist’s Prayer?” I’ve talked about it before. Lyman Abbot paraphrased the “Lord’s Prayer” to reflect the philosophy of those people who choose a life without God, “the tenants in rebellion to the Landowner:”

“Our brethren who art on earth; hallowed be our name. Our kingdom come, our will be done on earth, for there is no heaven. We must get this day our daily bread; we neither forgive nor art forgiven. We fear not temptation, for we deliver ourselves from evil. For ours is the kingdom and the power, and there is no glory and no forever.”

This is how the world knows peace and it's very different from the peace of Jesus.

 

Jesus is saying that this rebellion of rejecting God is a tragedy: they will have no peace and they will come to a “wretched” end – a world without God, which they have chosen!

Sadly, many people, churches, and denominations have used this passage as a reason to persecute and hate Jews because they think Jesus I just condemning Israel in this passage, but that’s not the focus of what Jesus is saying if this parable and the next two we’ll cover in the next few messages are viewed as part of a comprehensive ministry.

Humanity’s original sin had everything to do with rejecting God’s Will and desire for us – we gave up our perfection and security to seek our own selfish desire, and we’ve had no peace since. This applies to humanity and just Israel.

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a New Car showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man waited for signs that his father had bought the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold.

Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible and his father, swearing never to return. Many years passed and the young man became very successful in business.

He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.

Just before he could make arrangements to visit, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and had willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matthew 7:11:

"And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?"

As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible.It had a tag with the dealer’s namewho had the sports car he had coveted. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we reject God's blessings because they are not packaged, look, or are not what we wanted?Why do we become angry and lash out in hurt and frustration?Why do we seek peace in human terms, and not understand that Jesus is the only true source of peace there will ever be?

We find peace in the bread and cup of Holy Communion, as Christ’s body and blood was sacrificed for us. Our peace has been … paid in full by Christ on the Cross. Amen.