December 10: Be My Prince of Peace
♫ Music:
PRINCE OF PEACE
Scripture: John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
May Christmas Come
by Alan Jones
The rough beast slouching
toward Bethlehem,
still waits to come to term.
Christmas comes and goes
as we expect.
Nothing changes.
This year in New York, Jerusalem
and Kabul,
the Innocents are slaughtered
according to Herod’s schedule.
His rage, unchecked,
still does its work.
Yet this year
things could be different.
September 11th adds urgency
to the
birth,
making this the time of choosing.
The choice is ours
to miss the point or
see Mary and her child
in every mother and her baby,
and adore, absorbing
the rage and terror
and with a loving heart
rebuild the world,
making peace our gift.
May Christmas come.
BE MY PRINCE OF PEACE
If you watch the “Yahweh” music video by The Brilliance, you’ll likely notice it isn’t really a picture of peace; it is instead a collection of moments and images of people striving for, and seeking after, peace. We see the universal scene of children smiling with an elfish charm that only children have, and we see pictures of men with guns. There are images of people praying, celebrating, grieving, and living. There are walls and there are temples. All this we see as the lyrics offer a prayer of need: “Hosanna (Rescuer) come and save us. Bring us peace.”
I’ve always loved John 14:27. If I had to choose, I’d say this is one of my top 5 favorite verses in all of scripture. If you haven’t already, try reading it out loud, slow enough to taste each word. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
I remember when this verse shed light into my heart for the first time. I was a senior in college. Everything seemed to be growing more chaotic and unknown. Everyone else around me seemed to have a promising internship, a steady romantic relationship, or some big backpacking European adventure planned. Everyone seemed to feel fine about graduating, or on the flip side, mentally checked out and apathetic. I felt overwhelmed by the changes, silently sad about the loss of the present, and completely unable to imagine the future. Have you ever felt that way? Like you were the only one truly tossed by the waves of life? I remember reading John 14:27 and feeling the gift of peace offered to me personally. Jesus Christ was offering me peace. He was offering his peace, which is able to reach farther and deeper than all my thoughts and feelings. His peace isn’t intimidated by my lack of peace. The Holy Spirit was kindly and sovereignly comforting me with the assurance I didn’t need to live with a troubled heart. I didn’t need to be afraid.
Peace.
It is a grand and intimate expression. It feels like a kiss when you say it.
I return to this verse often. Sometimes I speak it out when I am feeling particularly internally chaotic. I imagine Jesus waking from sleep, in a boat of scared fisherman, standing up, in the face of a tremendous storm (the kind you see in a 3D movie, that feels totally incomprehensible), and saying that one word: PEACE. Immediately the storm surrenders to Jesus. The weather reconciles.
Have you ever thought about what Christ is offering, when he offers you his peace? Not only is he offering you comfort, he is offering you closeness, accessibility. He is making himself approachable to you. The Savior’s peace is, first of all, a gift of reconciliation with him. He offers us redemption, he offers us communion with him. When he tells us that he offers us peace, what he is saying is that there is no longer need for an anxious spirit. He has taken care of that.
If this scripture seems to resonate with you, why not try using it as your breath-prayer this week? Breath Prayers are based off of the Psalms, where a repeated phrase, short enough to speak in one or two breaths, reminds us of the promises or attributes of God. What if you put this verse as a reminder in your phone, to pop up each day this week? Invite the Prince of Peace into your day, ask him to calm whatever chaos you may be feeling.
Prayer
Father, thank you for offering me your peace. Thank you for being mighty enough to calm the more chaotic and scariest of storms in my life. Thank you for the gentle reminder that I don’t need to be afraid. Thank you for not giving like the world gives. Thank you for giving as a Savior gives. Thank you for being my rescuer. Holy Spirit, show me how to be an ambassador of your peace, that I may carry your presence of peace with me always.
Amen
Arianna Molloy
Assistant Professor of Communication Studies
Peace
Jake Weidman
Limited edition print
About the Artist and Art:
Jake Weidmann is a certified master penman and accomplished artist who uses traditional techniques without the aid of modern technology. Weidmann received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and his minor in biblical studies from Biola University in 2008. He now integrates what he learned about psychology and theology into much of his work to give his pieces profound meaning and lasting impact.
https://www.jakeweidmann.com
Video: Yahweh
The Brilliance
About the Music #1: (On the Yahweh Video)
“Yahweh”
Lyrics:
Yahweh,
Here are Your children
Crying out for peace.
Father,
Pour out Your spirit,
Prepare our hearts for You.
Dayspring,
Come in Your wisdom,
Save us from ourselves.
Jesus,
Come in Your weakness,
Bring hope to all the world.
Hosanna,
Come and save us!
About the Performers/Composers for Music #1:
The Brilliance is a contemporary classical music duo composed of David Gungor and John Arndt, originating from Tulsa, Oklahoma. They are one of an emerging new breed of Christian artists who consider humans as storied creatures and put forward a “new liturgy” which both honors the past and points the way forward. Their music explores the essence of who we are as God’s creation and as His reflection. Taking their musicality to new heights, blending strings, keys, percussion and voice, along with poetry and prayer, the Brilliance appeals to diverse audiences--across generations, denominations and cultures.
www.thebrilliancemusic.com
About the Music #2:
"Hold Me Jesus"
Lyrics:
Sometimes my life just don't make sense at all,
When the mountains look so big,
And my faith just seems so small.
So hold me, Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?
And I wake up in the night and feel the dark.
It's so hot inside my soul
I swear, there must be blisters on my heart.
So hold me, Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?
Surrender don't come natural to me.
I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want
To take what You give that I need.
And I've beat my head against so many walls.
Now, I'm falling down, I'm falling on my knees.
And this Salvation Army Band is playing this hymn.
And Your grace rings out so deep
It makes my resistance seem so thin.
So, hold me, Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?
I'm singing, hold me Jesus, 'cause I'm shaking like a leaf.
You have been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?
You've been King of my glory,
Won't You be my Prince of Peace?
About the Performer/Composer for Music #2:
Rich Mullins (1955-1997) was a beloved performer nominated for 12 Dove Awards, an expert on several instruments, and a very gifted songwriter, responsible for one of the most popular contemporary praise songs in existence, "Awesome God." He began playing piano at the age of four, and gradually became proficient on guitar and dulcimer as well. In 1974, he began studying at Cincinnati Bible College, where he wrote praise songs and often performed on acoustic guitar. As part of Zion Ministries, Mullins toured the country and led praise & worship meetings at many retreats. One such meeting, in Nashville, got him signed to a publishing deal by Reunion Records, and Amy Grant recorded his "Sing Your Praise to the Lord" for her 1982 album Age to Age. Just two years later, he signed a recording contract with Reunion as well.
Mullins eventually got involved with relief organizations and spent time in the American Southwest teaching music to children on a Navajo reservation. He had recorded two collections of new songs plus another compilation before he was tragically killed in an Illinois car accident in September 1997. The Jesus Record was released posthumously the following year and Here in America, a collection of live recordings and demos accompanied by a DVD, was released in 2003. Mullins wrote "Hold Me Jesus" as a prayer to be delivered from the clutches of pornography. It is a heartfelt cry for Christ to bring His divine peace into our lives.
About the Poet:
Alan W. Jones (b.1940) is an English Episcopal priest who served as the Dean of Episcopal Grace Cathedral in San Francisco from 1985 until January 2009. Previously, he held the Stephen F. Bayne Professor of Ascetical Theology Chair at General Theological Seminary in New York City. During his decade long tenure, he founded the Center for Christian Spirituality. He is a prominent lecturer in academic/theological circles both nationally and internationally. Jones is a prolific writer of books, articles, and editorials.