Jesus Enjoys Peace. So much so that He fought for peace, but not in the way many wish he would.

Peace. What is peace? What would peace sound like… Look like… Be like for you?

Consider that the people that we are about to meet in today’s reading. Where under the rule of Rome.  A rule that was at times cruel and brutal. They had a national history of losing. Sure they had plenty of national pride But… They kept getting proud and losing all that they had attained.

They also had the promise that a Deliverer, a Messiah was coming to bring peace and end wars. This Deliverer would bring peace to the world and would reign in peace.

The path to peace is anything but peaceful.

John 16:33 (NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

The Battle of Two Realities. Here Jesus tells about two opposing perceptions. Realities. One reality, we learn in other scriptures is… Darkness, shifting sand, shakeable, temporary, fleshy, dwindling. The other is Light, solid rock, unshakeable, permanent. Spiritual, Increasing. So the possibility exists that you could be at peace. Completely While also experiencing trials, troubles, and difficulties. This is how Jesus was able to nap in boats that were being tossed about by a storm. This is how Paul was able to sing in prison immediately after an unjust beating.

Matthew 21:7-9 (NLT) They brought the donkey and the colt to Him and threw their garments over the colt, and He sat on it. 8 Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road ahead of Him, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Jesus was in the center of the procession, and the people all around Him were shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Praise God in highest heaven!”

Peace Through Serving. Do Different Things.

It was not a warhorse. It was a donkey. I baby donkey, even. Jesus is the King who comes in Peace. That is not to say that He is peaceful. It is to say that His peace is so mighty that it would enforce peace. It will birth peace. It will extend peace.

Hosanna! “Save Now”. They shouted Hosanna. Which literally means “save now”. And Jesus had come to “save now” but not in the way they expected. Jesus was accomplishing things on Earth that were making new ways, new realities, a new way in the heavenly.

Matthew 20:28 (NLT) For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

He came to serve. He entered the town as a servant King. He cleansed the Temple like heaven’s appointed maid. He taught the people and leaders, which is an act of service. He served the Passover meal to His disciples and repurposed it as communion. He then washed their feet.

If you will live in Peace, you will live as a servant. Many wish to guide, lead or control others. Men and Women love a little authority, either granted or assumed. There is nothing worse than a little person with a little authority. Jesus taught us to serve. 

Do you want peace? Then do not seek to control. Seek to serve. The world has no peace because it is always trying to control anyone it can. Do something different. Serve. 

John 8:31-32 (NLT) Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Peace Through Truth. Think Different Thoughts

Then Jesus Told Them What They Needed To Hear. Jesus’ last week in Jerusalem was a whirlwind. He taught so many things. He ended so many things. He corrected the leaders. He taught the people to honor their scriptural teaches but do not do what they do. He warned of what was to come. But most of all, He taught them to be ready. He taught them to accept God’s Way. 

Jesus was often presenting a “third way”. The Pharisees or Sadducees were often presenting Jesus with either or traps and “pass fails” In their thinking, they had Him because they could only think of 2 possible outcomes. But then Jesus would present a third option that completely blew their minds, and ticked them off.

Think Different. If you learn the truth. Believe the truth. Share the Truth. You will come – over time = to think differently.  Your mind will be transformed. And you will walk in peace regardless of the chaos of the world in which you live. Find the Truth and Think Differently

John 5:19 (NLT) So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by Himself. He does only what He sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.

Peace Through Surrender. Use A Different Source.

Everything that Jesus was doing was in the Bible. His actions were dictated by the Old Testament prophets. He just didn’t do what He wanted to do. He did what the Father wanted Him to do. He lived from the Father’s power. He accomplished the Father’s desire. 

Everything that Jesus did was what the Father wanted.

Luke 22:42 (NLT) “Father, if You are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want Your will to be done, not Mine.”

No matter how difficult. Jesus did what the Father desired, and that is how He saved the world. Surrender your will to God’s will, and you will tap into a greater source of everything.

Do You Have Peace Today?

Jesus is here, right now, fighting for your peace. Serving, Thinking, and Surrender are your keys to enter in.