THE STORY OF JESUS: Luke 10:1-7
“When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’” (Luke 10:5)
The first thing we should communicate as Jesus’ messengers is… peace.
We do not first interview them to see if they deserve it.
We do not ask them to attend classes before they can receive it.
We do not evaluate their lives or lifestyles to see if they qualify.
We do not check out what their religion or beliefs are.
The very first thing we say is… peace to you and your family.
God’s grace, and the blessing of peace, are free to all.
If the people are receptive to God’s peace, then God’s grace will rest on them.
This is something Jews and Muslims do.
Peace be unto you (shalom aleikhem, as-salmu alaykum) is how they greet one another.
This is how they greet one another; how much more for us as messengers of the Prince of Peace.
Not just to people we like, or people who are like us, but to everyone.
Contrast this to how some Christians protest or denounce others.
When they hear or or meet sinners, their very first words are ‘God hates…’, not ‘peace’.
But what about sin, what about our need to repent, to be holy?
These are important, but they come about through God’s grace and peace, not before.
If we are open to God’s grace and peace, we will receive it, and it will begin its work in us.
People are converted and saved by grace, not judgment… let us be messengers of peace.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, You spoke peace to me before I deserved it, help me to do the same. May people who meet me sense peace, not judgment.