There is a misconception that runs through our culture – that following Jesus means you go soft, that you are weak, that you are taking the easy way out of conflict. And so many set Jesus aside when the going gets tough to follow a “proven” method for handling difficult situations, violence, conflict, etc. The way of the world is to fight, to destroy, to kill.
But that’s the easy way actually. It doesn’t take much to head down that path. It’s the wide path that has been chosen by many.
Peace is not easy. Being peaceful is not easy when conflict attacks. Being peaceful is not easy when violence comes to you. Being peaceful is not easy when death and destruction are knocking at your door and your self-preservation is kicking in. Being peaceful is not easy.
Jesus knew this very well. When he was ushered into Jerusalem like a king, he could have taken the easy route and taken up arms to try to throw off the Roman occupiers. He could have raised an army who would have been willing to fight and die for the cause. He could have gone the route of revenge, anger, fear, and violence. Instead he turned the other cheek when slapped and insulted. He willingly took up the cross and died. Being peaceful is costly.
But is there really another option that’s worth anything? Do the options of violence, revenge, war, destruction, and might lead to life? No. They only lead to death.
War and violence is the easy way to deal with conflict. It’s what humanity has done and gotten really good at for centuries. But for all the wars that have occurred, we have yet to learn anything valuable from them. It is the path we seem to go down all too easily when peace becomes really difficult and costly.
Peace is hard work. So is love, forgiveness, mercy, grace. Loving our neighbors is hard work. Loving our enemies is difficult. Being stewards is not easy. Walking the path of Christ is not easy. It is costly. But the other options all lead to the same destination – death and destruction. Over and over again. When will we learn?
Laced up Lutheran 
I love Mark’s Gospel. I have read it, analyzed it, re-read it, studied it, lectured on it, taught it, written extensively about it, and read it some more. I know Mark way better than the others. But I studied Matthew last year with a group, and I am working on Luke right now with new vigor. And I am struck by how confrontational Jesus is. Luke’s Jesus is surprisingly so.
Jesus’ first sermon in Luke takes place in his hometown among his family and friends. At first it is received well. The flock there loves the homily! They are surprized that Jesus, the one they already know all too well, is such a good preacher! He gets high marks!!!
And then he gets under their skin and starts picking…
And its just goes on and on from there. Its as if the great teacher just couldn’t be satisfied with all the peace and love he was getting back from his hearers. He had to meddle in their junk. And after that, the whole home crowd turns out to kill him.
Then look ahead to his self-described agenda in Luke 12:49-53.
Matthew, I am not arguing against you here. I believe everything you have written in this post, but I wonder how to account for the things from Jesus that I highlight here (and more too). Peace somehow involves these acts and these statements.
How?
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I don’t peace is the absence of conflict. I think peace can actually bring about conflict. Peace isn’t avoiding uncomfortable and inconvenient truths and realities. From what I can tell from the Gospel accounts, Jesus was peaceful in the sense that to him peace was dealing with reality honestly, not making excuses or covering up reality. Being a peace maker isn’t just about calming things down. Being a peacemaker is deeper – dealing with reality. It wasn’t Jesus who caused those who heard him to want to kill him. The intent was already heavy in them. They decided to respond with violence when the reality that was spoken was not to their liking. Sometimes peace is like exposing an open wound for all to see. There are some who wanted to pretend that the wound doesn’t exist. Yet, how can the wound heal if it ignored and not treated? Peace is confrontational sometimes. MLK, Jr was peaceful, and confrontational as well. He brought peace in how he acted towards others. He could not control what others do in response. But he could control how he responded to their violence. Peace isn’t the absense of violence – it is the recognition that violence and division is present and choosing an alternative to show how empty violence and division really are, how they lead to death, and how there is another way – a better way. Maybe that’s far more than what peace is. But it’s a more full picture of what peace is to me. And why peace is hard work.
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Peace is not easy, and it takes lots of practice.
Secondly, I don’t see that believers should involve themselves in wars at all.
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I agree about believers should not participate in wars. Over the years I have become more of a pacifist than I ever thought possible. War leads to destruction and death. A high price to pay for someone sitting at a desk making decisions about people’s lives. Being a follower of Jesus leads to death also – but it is not the end of the story. It’s merely a step along the way towards resurrection. We’re called to die daily – sometimes figuratively. Sometimes literally. The call of the follower of Jesus is the cross and the promise of resurrection. Not fighting, but facing reality for what it is and knowing that God is ushering in something far better – the kingdom of God.
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Matthew, I totally agree! Our first loyalty and our business is with the kingdom of God; and the kingdom’s stand regarding our enemies is for us to love them. My national allegiance (to Caesar) is secondary. I am called to be a good citizen and to vote and advocate for issues and candidates, but Caesar cannot call upon me to participate in its wars.
I established that during the Vietnam War. I took a lot of heat and was prepared to go to jail for not accepting the draft, but fortunately the government classified me as a conscientious objector instead.
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