Living in the Spirit
November 15, 2015

Scripture Reading: Mark 13:1-8

When he was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, ‘Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign that all these things are about to be accomplished?’ Then Jesus began to say to them, ‘Beware that no one leads you astray. Many will come in my name and say, “I am he!” and they will lead many astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs. –Mark 13:3-8

I went to bed yesterday night with the news that Paris had suffered at least six terrorist attacks with many deaths and injuries. The news this morning was filled with more details. We live wars and rumors of wars every day it seems. When will we learn that power through violence just breeds more violence and that the only way to shalom is through shalom.

This scripture resonates in my ears as I heard it over and over in my childhood as the dispensational second coming was as much in vogue than as it is now. Perhaps because I was a child and saw things as a child raised with a Jesus who loved the little children, all of them, I have never been able to accept violence as a means of conquering evil. Kicking dogs for misbehavior just made them meaner, responding violently to someone punching you in the face most likely meant you were the one going to get caught and thus punished, probably with a spanking.

This experience was fed further when as an adult I worked with abusive parents. As much as one might want to hate them for what they had done to their child, looking deep into their eyes, it was not hard to see the hurt driving the harm they did.

We as followers of Christ are called to love the evil out of the world. Granted sometimes that requires that some be incarcerated to protect others and perhaps themselves, but that does not change our mission. On the world stage, while we must be diligent to protect the innocent, we also must work to rectify whatever lies at the heart of the evil that erupts into wars and rumors of war.

Prayer: God of Mercy and Justice, surround our leaders who must deal with terrorism with your abiding presence and wisdom for the facing of this hour and engage each of us as citizens to work toward peace through justice. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995,  
Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights reserved.