peace

In the tenth chapter of the Gospel According to Luke (NABRE), Jesus sends out 72 disciples to deliver a message of peace. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the concept of peace is used in a variety of ways and has many meanings—ranging from the absence of war to harmony between neighbors and even to lack of internal strife. What exactly is Jesus intending with his message?

The Greek word εἰρήνη (eirene) that is translated as peace comes from a verb that means “to join.” As such, peace can be conceptualized as something that brings unity and eliminates division. Intuitively, this makes sense. There is no conflict where there is no division. From the point of view of spreading Jesus’ kingdom, the idea of peace suggests a further point. Jesus is calling for union of all people with God. This alone will remove division and conflict on earth.

Where is there division in your life, and what causes it? Where might God be calling you to bring peace to yourself or others?

you also may like our two-part study of the prophets
Thus Says the LORD: God Speaks Through His Servants the Prophets—Volume I: A Kingdom Divided examines the prophets in historical context using the First and Second Books of the Kings and other Old Testament passages written before the Babylonian Exile. Volume II: Restoration & Redemption looks at the post-exilic prophets. This 51-lesson Catholic Bible study builds on The United Kingdom of Israel: Saul, David & Solomon Foreshadow Christ the King. Click on these links to view a lesson from Volume I and another from Volume II.