His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace. Isaiah 9:7

You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. Acts 10:36

Throughout the Bible instances are recorded of people coming together to help one another. Matthew 20:28 states, “just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” People throughout the world continue to follow Jesus example of serving others. Even during the most difficult times people give of their time and money to help those less fortunate. Every time one sees people helping others there is a sense of peace among those giving the aid and among those receiving the help. This is the example of what Jesus taught us to do.

Several years ago my husband, two friends, and I visited the Martin Luther King Center in Atlanta. Martin Luther King led by peaceful sit-downs and resistance to the wrongs against African American people in the South. He lived what he preached. His example of leadership through peaceful resistance has made his name indelible in the annals of history. His work and the work of countless others who worked with him began changes that his predecessors could never have dreamed of. These changes were just the beginning. We continue to strive for peace among peoples. The quest for equality and justice will never end, because there are those who know that the only way to live with one another is to live in peace. Those who bring retribution against others in order to dominate only bring hate, strife, and destruction leave chaos in their wake. Our verse from Acts says it well: “You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ.”  We can do no less.

Dear Lord and Savior jesus Christ,
Jesus, your reign of peace has come into our world bringing reconciliation and peace. Help us to live in peace and to bring the message of your peace to others just as you taught us to do. Amen.

Florence Smallfield