5 "When you enter a house, first say, 'Peace to this house.' 6 If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.
On His way to Jerusalem, Jesus sends out 72 messengers into all the towns in order to give people the opportunity to accept His message. He gives them instructions on how to go about this mission. Peace is stressed in our verses for today. How like Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to begin His message focusing on this powerful state of untroubled, undisturbed, well-being. Peace by its very definition is tranquility, repose, calm, harmony, accord, well-being and prosperity. The New Testament Lexical Aids of the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible adds: “Such a state of peace is the object of divine promise and is brought about by God’s mercy, granting deliverance and freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as a result of sin. Hence the message of salvation is called the gospel of peace for this peace can only be the result of reconciliation with God, referring to the new relationship between man and God brought about by the atonement.” Peace – who would not want that? The question begs: Are we demonstrating that peace, like these 72, to a hurting world desperate for a taste? We have what the world needs and that is Christ – how are we at displaying it? Jesus speaks many times on this subject. I am reminded of His words in John:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)
I love what the Bible Knowledge Commentary states about the above verse: "In New Testament times the normal way to say good-bye was Peace (¬¹lôm in Heb.). In His death Jesus provided a legacy for His disciples: My peace I give you. They would have “peace with God” (Rom. 5:1) because their sins were forgiven and the “peace of God” (Phil. 4:7) would guard their lives. The world is unable to give this kind of peace. Fear of death (Heb. 2:14-15) and fear of the future are removed as Jesus’ followers trust in Him. Thus they need not be troubled.” 3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
As believers we have a dual existence, we are in Christ and we are in the world. In Jesus, we have peace while the world’s system exerts a hostile influence. The world’s system is in enmity to Jesus and His followers but, take heart, Jesus has overcome the world. He tells us in John: 33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)
Belonging to Jesus does not take away our troubles; belonging to Jesus gives us His peace and strength to walk through them. Psalm 84 tells us:5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. 6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca (tears), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion. Psalms 84:5-7 (NIV)
Lord help us to go from “strength to strength”! While the offer of this great peace is held out to us, we often do not appropriate it by giving into our worries and fears regarding our circumstances and trials. If we are not careful to keep our mind steadfast on Christ we will reflect the life of the seed sown among the thorns Jesus describes in Mark 4:18 Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Mark 4:18-19 (NIV) May this never be said of us! The peace a believer exhibits when buffeted by the winds of trials and adverse circumstances points others to Christ because it is simply not natural. What He promises, He provides. It is a faith walk to trust in His promises. His desire is for us to prove Him faithful. He who calms the sea can calm our troubled souls. 11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace. Psalms 29:11 (NIV) 16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thess 3:16 (NIV)