John 14:23-9   Rev. 22:6-21  May 16, 2010

 

We all know the city of Brotherly Love is Philadelphia. I  picked up the image of the heavenly city and call it Irenadelphia, the City of Peace, or Peace City. I see this image as touching our political involvements and also see it as a craving for shalom, peace, well-being, contentment, deep within as well.

 

We often read this at funerals, and it is a good reading, but it cannot be limited to that time alone. To have some peace in the face of death is a deep comfort. A lack of peace dogs our steps in the face of normal life as well. Knowing that he is saying goodbye, Jesus is leaving behind a gift (see 16:33). NIB his peace is the heart of his life, including love, joy and the fruit of the spirit. In Bible Study Joann Banks said peace was holding the story of Jesus in one's heart as the basis for peace. What was so yearned for in the prophets for peace (Is. 52:7, 54:10, Ezek 37:26-8, Zech. 9:10) is available reality.  Troubles will continue, but not having fear control us is a rock for motion into the dangerous world. Those are important Biblical words:do not be afraid. Fear provokes defenses that prevent us from knowing peace. Do not let your hearts be troubled is less frequent in the Bible. It gives us an important reminder: the Christian life is not free from trouble, but it does provide an avenue for coping with troubles.

 

Let's imagine Irenadelphia for a moment. Peace City has the Peace River running straight through it. This is not false security (Jer. 6), but real safety and security. Its buildings are  constructed from recycled weaponry. It is in harmony with its natural environment. No prisons are needed. Its schools look like palaces. People go to their vehicles in darkened alleys without fear. People can sing I've got peace like a river in my soul and mean it. In Revelation's close, the Spirit and the bride say come here, get here already, to the new age. We feel that way too for peace to come. Aren't you tired of all the bloodshed of history that we will soon honor on Memorial Day? the news does not lead with bleeding. Just like the blessing at the end of Revelation, Peace City sees people as part of one big family, where we are in it together for the long haul. The doors to houses and hearts are unlocked in Peace City.

 

Peace includes harmony with others and a sense of being right with God. Even then, inner peace can elude us. What drives our inner discontent? Part of it is a sense of incompleteness. Part of it is coveting. Maybe the hardest part is a nebulous disquiet that descends on us. Inner peace seems to flicker for but a short time. We want to feel peace with God, with each other, and peace within, but don't know the steps. I don't think that we need complete inner peace to love completely or to find some peace. Inner peace can be a calm anchor in the midst of troubled waters. Circumstance does not have to dictate our feelings so we are tossed about constantly. We do have times when we use every bit of our own resources and still need more. The Spirit moves with us and helps us to find and use powers, including inner peace, that we did not have before. I like thinking of inner peace as a stable center, a quiet place. We can learn to be at peace. We can find that place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.