And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.

[Excerpted from “Invitation: The Power of Nonviolence in the Hands of a Prophetic People,” Elray Henriksen, Andrew Bolton, and Kelsey Paul Shantz, Nov/Dec 2021 Herald, p. 19]

After his baptism, Jesus faced the temptation of creating God’s kingdom on Earth by violence. At the time of John’s arrest, he proclaimed the kingdom of God was near (Mark 1:14–15) and read his mission statement that began with good news for the poor (Luke 4:18–19). His first recruits were not soldiers, but unarmed fishermen: Peter and Andrew, James and John (Mark 1:16–20).

Their first lesson on discipleship was the Sermon on the Plain in Luke and the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. In Luke and Matthew Jesus taught disciples not to retaliate, but to turn the other cheek, to walk the second mile, and to love our enemies for God’s grace is given to good and bad alike (Matthew 5:38–48, Luke 6:27–36). Other New Testament authors also taught this, including Paul (Romans 12:14–21). Jesus rebuked James and John for wanting to “command fire to come down” on an inhospitable Samaritan village (Luke 9:51–56) and then taught the Good Samaritan parable on loving your enemies to further clarify his message (Luke 10:25–37).

Jesus is consistent in his principled nonviolence right to the end. At his arrest he rebukes the disciple who attacked the servant of the high priest with a sword. Dying on the cross, Jesus forgave those who trespassed against him, so we could learn to do the same. With renewed reassurance of God’s peace and nonretribution after the resurrection, the disciples were reborn as followers of the Way (John 14:27, John 20:26).

Through these examples, Jesus Christ reveals a God who shows mercy to good and bad like.

Prayer Phrase

“We love because God first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Spiritual Practice

Sea of Light

Quiet and center yourself. Ask for God’s healing and guidance as you enter this time of prayerful presence. Close your eyes, breathing deeply and calmly. Imagine you are floating in a beautiful sea of light that rises and falls with each cycle of your breath. The golden light of this sea buoys you up, so you float effortlessly. Waves of light carry and wash over you, bringing wholeness and peace. Rest in the sea of God’s love; then offer a prayer of gratitude.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.