Ephesians 6:15
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
The feet are running from the sniper in Las Vegas. And to the left someone is injured and the group is running together to protect the injured carried.
Matthew 11:12
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.
The Gospel of Peace is a choice. And many times the Gospel of Peace is a choice made under fire.
Why would a Good God ask His Only Son to Die.
The story of explanation is a good one. It's fiction as far as I know:
A man and his beloved only son were doing a Sunday job for the father. The son and father were enjoying Sunday afternoon. The man worked for the railroad and they were adjusting the lines underground to make the smooth transition from one line to another. A mistake had been made down the line. A huge, huge passenger train was now headed to oblivion or the son would be crushed underground. As the happy train filled with capacity shot past the bereaved railroad father - the people were marrying, eating and drinking and carrying on with life as usual - the bereaved railroad father had sacrificed his only son - that the filled to capacity train occupants would live.
Why? The father knew his son. He knew his son would not survive living while all the train had died. His Son was a Hero.
The Peace of God Passes understanding. We are preparing for this every day. Practicing. The Disciples of Jesus did not wander around looking all joyous as they sat with God's Church Bridegroom. They had frustration, fear, bewilderment. Uncertainty. The desire not to look stupid. There is a preparation for the Gospel of Peace. Determining a course to walk towards the Gospel of Peace.
2 Timothy 4
6 For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 From now on the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
We could say God was cruel to have given the test.
2 Timothy 4:8
Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
In the Parable of the Prodigal Son - who is cruel? The Father preparing the inheritance. The son who wanders off.
We determine where we will put our efforts. We determine where Love is to live our lives for meaningful growth towards Father God. Surely we would say God can watch our hearts, actions and words and decide on our valor and integrity.
In the days to come, the people who have lived being shot at in a human bowl will suffer and think. And have great emotion. Where will the blame be placed. Where is the scape goat. Someone is to blame for the suffering.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord:
though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red like crimson,
they shall become like wool."
When Father God sees His creation shot at and beheaded - He is not pleased. Our Father God abhors Human Sacrifice. Until He and the Son give Life. When our God sees death and murder - He has decided to save the world. God wipes away the horror and gives Love. Just as the people in the middle and midst now of seeing the kingdom of heaven - through Jesus Christ coming to earth - have suffered violence, and the violent take it by force.
Jesus Christ lived with faith beyond John the Baptist beheaded by Herod. Non-Davidic "King of the Jews." Herod raised in Rome and puppet king of Caesar. Killed His own.
Jesus readied His feet to feed the multitudes and walked upon the waters. Where Peter was not a solace and Jesus chose to save Peter in the midst of familial loss.
The Gospel of Peace is a Choice. An ongoing choice to say God is in Charge and we Believe in His Goodness. And put our heart, mind, soul and being into Jesus Christ Savior.
Abba Father,
We pray for all of us to pray with Jesus and see the Holy Spirit increase love.
May the words of my lips, the meditations of my mind be pleasing and acceptable in Your sight. You are our Rock and Redeemer. For our loved ones. For our hopes. For the people You have given us. For our nation. For the generation yet to be born. For the believers around the world calling upon Jesus. God, You have our hope and future in Your goodness.
Our hope is in Jesus Christ. Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †
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