“The King of Peace” – Luke 19:28-40 – April 1, 2007

It’s been awhile since England has had a king, but the next king of England will be Prince William, son of Phillip and Dianna. No doubt the world will be watching. Imagine the media frenzy that will occur when this event takes place. Since we don’t live in a country that has kings we are not accustomed to coronation ceremonies. In Jesus’ day these were huge celebrations. Kings were powerful leaders and all those in their kingdom were subservient. Absolutely no one received the notoriety like a king.

For Jesus to enter Jerusalem as a king was totally scandalous. And yet the people rallied around his entry shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord.” There were thousands of people, praising God for all Jesus had done for them and they showed their appreciation by spreading their clothing on the road. They gave him a red carpet welcome.

Jesus was king to all his followers and they expected him to use his power and authority to take command of their world. They fully expected a leader and assumed the kingdom of God would take control. Jesus was a king, but no ordinary king. He was the king of fishermen, tack collectors, Samaritans, harlots, blind men, demoniacs and cripples. His followers were those who were accepted, forgiven, healed and loved.

Normally, we want a leader who will guarantee us prosperity and success, one who will protect us and make our lives comfortable and secure. The kingdom of God, however belongs to a different kind of king, a king who will give hope, promise everlasting life and assure his people of the presence of God.

Jesus was a king, but he was “the king of peace.” There were some who understood that as they shouted, “Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest heaven.” Sound familiar? Ironically these were the same words the angels said to the shepherds when Jesus was born; “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.” (Luke 2:14)

To understand Jesus any other way other than as the king of peace is to totally misunderstand what he was about. He came as a non-violent, compassionate, faithful servant whose only goal was for people to love God and love their neighbors.

In the gospel of Luke there is more evidence to support the theory that Jesus understood himself as a king of peace. He came riding on a donkey, a wild donkey; “one that had not been ridden.” In other words, he came to tame the world. Also, when he approached Jerusalem he said, (after weeping) “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace.”

So, what are the things that make for peace?

One morning I was working out in the fitness center at the Y. For some reason the music was unusually loud. I guess guys that lift weights like to listen to the beat of rock and roll music. I found it annoying. I prefer soft background music, so I said to the guy next to me, “Doesn’t the music seem loud today?” He replied, “Oh, I just ignore it.” I thought to myself, maybe that’s our problem in society. We hear or observe things we don’t like, things that cause chaos instead of harmony and we simply ignore it.

After my work out I stopped at the front desk and inquired if it would be possible to turn down the volume on the music in the fitness room. Apparently someone the evening before had turned it up. I believe that one of the things that make for peace is to take action. Instead of ignoring those things that create discord in life, we can do something about it. Jesus certainly did. Notice that he encouraged his followers to speak up, rather than be silent. When the Pharisees ordered his disciples to be quiet he said, “I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out.”

Jesus stood for peace and he expects his followers to do the same. As people of faith we have a responsibility to do everything we can to make the world we live in a harmonious one. Jesus came to tame the world and so can we.

I said earlier that many of those who followed Jesus became loyal to him because they felt accepted by him. While society rejected them, Jesus did not. Those along the streets that day who were shouting praises were outcasts who experienced acceptance.

This week will be the opening of baseball season. It always amazes me that a little round ball, about the size of your fist can attract thousands of people. You can barely see it as it flies through the air but this little ball has become America’s biggest past time. Jackie Robinson made history when he became the first black baseball player by joining the Brooklyn Dodgers. But, it wasn’t easy. He took verbal abuse from other players and many fans. One afternoon he was having a rough time and the fans were shouting "boos" from the stands. Pee Wee Reese, the team captain and shortstop, walked over to Jackie and put his arm around him in the middle of the game. Robinson said later, "That may have saved my career. Pee Wee made me feel like I belonged."

Peace happens when we accept those who are different than ourselves. Doing what we can to bring peace to a troubled world and accepting others who are marginalized are attributes of those who follow Jesus. Peace is more powerful than violence. Peace takes courage and faith. The results of peace are reconciliation instead of division.

I also believe that when we acknowledge Jesus as the king of peace we must also include inner peace. Jesus was at peace with himself since he had fulfilled his mission and was always faithful, as he embodied the love of God. He didn’t tell the people along the streets of Jerusalem to go home. Instead, he rode the donkey and accepted the praises from his followers as an act of worship and devotion to God.

Besides being at peace with our neighbors it is also important to be at peace with ourselves. Nothing torments us more than an inward struggle of personal identity, failure, or feelings of guilt. We are conditioned to believe we have to live up to the expectations of others. Or, we are frustrated because there are things we can’t control. Therefore, our greatest need is to have inner peace.

George Bernard Shaw once wrote, “This is the true joy in life: Being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one…being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish, little clod of ailments and grievances, complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.” Become at peace with yourself and others will follow.

A Stonecutter once delivered a slab of stone to a merchant. Seeing all his wonderful goods, he said, “I wish I was a merchant and had such things.” In the twinkling of an eye, his wish was granted. Then one day he saw a parade pass his store window. He saw a prince pass by in splendor, and he said, “I wish I was a prince.” And immediately he became a prince. But, later there was a time when the hot sun was beating down upon him and he said, “I wish I was the sun, greater than any man.” And he became the sun and was happy, until a cloud came between him and the earth. He said, “That cloud overshadows me. I wish I was a cloud.” Again his wish was granted. He rained down on the earth to his heart’s content until he came to a mountain, which wouldn’t let him pass. He said, “That mountain is greater than I. I wish I was a mountain.” Instantly, he became a mountain, and he thought, “Now I am the greatest of all.” But one day a little man climbed up the mountain and with a hammer and chisel began to tap away at it. The mountain, unable to stop him, said, “That little man is greater than I. I wish I was a man who cut stone.” Once again his wish was granted, and he became a stonecutter. He lived a long and useful life, and everyone marveled how happy he was. (from God’s Devotional Book, Motivation, Honor Books 2005)

We experience inner peace by being ourselves and living with the assurance that God loves us although others may not. We receive that inner peace by accepting God’s forgiveness and unconditional love. Inner peace becomes a reality for us when we are faithful and we believe that Jesus was, and is, and will always be, “the king of peace.”

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s Unite Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio