THE KISS OF PEACE
“Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss.”–Psalm 85:11
What a beautiful image! Kindness and truth meet. Justice and peace kiss. How can this be? So often, kindness and peace are overshadowed by the need to right a wrong. Many times, truth and justice are compromised by the desire to avoid offending anyone. Is the above passage merely a poetic ideal that could never be achieved in the cold, hard world of everyday living?
These potentially conflicting ideals come together as one in the Person of Jesus. Jesus is Truth (Jn 14:6). He is our Justice (1 Cor 1:30). Yet Jesus is our Peace (Eph 2:14; Mi 5:4). He embodies the kindness of God (Ex 34:6; Nm 14:18). Jesus Himself can proclaim the truth and bring justice while treating both the guilty and their victims with kindness and peace.
Nations spend billions of dollars trying to achieve a balance between law and order, charitable outreaches, and social programs. These are lofty and noble goals, but without Jesus they will fall short of their aim. Humans can’t achieve what only Jesus has the ability to do.
Divided families, sparring nations, troubled spouses, splintered parishes, bring your problems to Jesus. Apart from Jesus, you can do nothing (Jn 15:5). With Jesus, all things are possible (Mt 19:26).
PRAYER: Jesus, Prince of Peace (Is 9:5), kiss us with Your kiss of peace (Sg 1:2; Ps 85:11). Give us “new wine” of the Spirit (Mt 9:17). May we be Your ambassadors to a hurting world.
PROMISE: “The Lord Himself will give His benefits.” –Ps 85:13
PRAISE: Charlie’s brother had turned to drugs and crime but Charlie never stopped praying for him. He was never a lost cause to Charlie or to Jesus.
