Peace is Within Your Reach
“Peace is Within Your Reach”
by Pastor Kent Munsey
April 5, 2020
When Jesus caught sight of the city, he burst into tears with uncontrollable weeping over Jerusalem, saying, “If only you could recognize that this day peace is within your reach! But you cannot see it.
Luke 19:41-42, TPT
Palm Sunday is the beginning of Holy Week, fulfilling the prophecy of the death and resurrection of Jesus. In Luke 19, Jesus is riding into Jerusalem weeping because he knows the people do not recognize that peace is here. Jesus is weeping because the people cannot see that peace is a person and that he is that person.
In this unprecedented pandemic, do you recognize that peace is within reach? Human peace is difficult to obtain and easy to lose, but God’s peace is different. The peace of Jesus is a person within reach, a peace that transcends our human understanding (I Thessalonians 5:22, Hebrews 13:20, Philippians 4:9, Romans 16:20 and Philippians 4:7).
We will not find peace in a career, in money, or our relationships. In the chaos, the disorder, and the storm, Jesus has promised to be our peace. Jesus comes in the order of Melchizedek, which means king of righteousness (Genesis 14). Melchizedek was the king of Salem, meaning city of peace (later Jerusalem). Jesus rules as a mighty counselor and prince of peace in the city of peace.
Do you recognize God as a God of peace amid a pandemic? Even when you are overwhelmed, peace is within reach. Peace is a person, and his name is Jesus.
1. Get in the right position
In order to receive God’s peace, we need to get in the right position. That position is surrender. When we surrender, then we can be at the center of God’s word and God’s will. Every area of our life should be submitted to Jesus. Moreover, we should take on a position of humility. Peace is within reach as we replace worry with surrender to him.
2. Check our perspective
Whatever issues we may have with other people, we have to ask ourselves, what does our attitude toward God look like?
When Shadrach, Mishak, and Abednigo are in the fire for not being willing to bow down to anyone but a holy God, they sing praises and are saved because there is another in the fire with them, Jesus (Daniel 3).
We see challenges through the eyes of faith. The hotter it gets, the more God is present with his peace.
3. Put on praise
In Isaiah 61:3, God offers us a garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness. We can exchange our heaviness and despair for his praise. When we give praise to God, we can receive his peace.
There is peace in the storm and in the pandemic. Peace is a person and his name is Jesus. Peace is within reach. Jesus is within reach.
Additional verses: Psalm 119, Psalm 34:1, Isaiah 43:21, Hebrews 13:2, Samuel 22:4, Psalm 149:6: Jeremiah 17:14, Psalm 100:4, Psalm 113:3, Psalm 150.
Reflection/Discussion Questions:
1. Where have you tried to find peace outside of Jesus?
2. How do you feel called to adjust your position or perspective in order to receive the peace of Jesus?
3. What issues are on your heart that you can entrust to Jesus and his peace?
4. What have you been able to think, say, or do this week because Jesus is your peace?