What is peace?
Peace is something that we often long for in a variety of areas of our lives - interpersonal, political, financial, academic, even internal, and spiritual peace. Peace in all of these things is achieved through a variety means, but many of those means seem to contradict one another. In other words - peace in one part of life by one set of standards can lead to a lack of peace in another.
Some cultures have a standard greeting of peace. Salam or As salamu alaykum in Arabic and Aramaic, Shalom in Hebrew. Those greetings carry with them both cultural traditions and patterns, but also a genuine desire peace and completeness in all of ones life.
But again, what is peace?
Some refer to peace, not for what it is, but for what it isn’t. “To be without trouble” or “to have no worries.” Some suggest that peace is a vague sense of calm - “to sit down in one’s heart.” (Louw-Nida).
The Evangelical Dictionary of Theology notes that in English “the word “peace” conjures up a passive picture, one showing an absence of civil disturbance or hostilities, or a personality free from internal and external strife.” (p. 597) Those do mark the presence of peace.
The Biblical concept of peace is a bit more expansive. Again the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology suggests that there are four categories of the Hebrew concept of Shalom or peace:
Shalom as “wholeness of life or body” - in other words good health
Shalom “as right relationships or harmony between two people” - often established with a covenant. In the OT sacrificial system, this was marked in relation to God with “peace offerings.”
Shalom “as prosperity, success or fulfillment” - in many ways, this is marked by a sufficiency of resources - more money than month.
Shalom “as victory over enemies or the absence of war.”
So, when Jews or NT Jewish Christians were speaking peace into one another’s lives, they were essentially saying “May your life be filled with health, prosperity, and victory.” (ibid)
In the passage we’re considering today, peace seems to be approached from different perspectives and achieved through different means, and yet Jesus even laments amidst the friction “would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace.” (Luke 19:42)
Open your Bibles to Luke 19 (around 743 in the pew bibles). We will be considering a familiar passage and events mark what has come to be known as the Triumphal Entry or Palm Sunday. As we read this, take notice of who the participants are in this section. We’ll reflect on the ways that they are each promoting peace.
Luke 19:28–44 ESV
And when he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. When he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount that is called Olivet, he sent two of the disciples, saying, “Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever yet sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” So those who were sent went away and found it just as he had told them. And as they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying the colt?” And they said, “The Lord has need of it.” And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they set Jesus on it. And as he rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. As he was drawing near—already on the way down the Mount of Olives—the whole multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen, saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
So, generally there are mentioned three groups of people -
the disciples or the crowd - interestingly, the other gospel writers refer to a crowd, but Luke calls them a multitude of his disciples or followers or learners.
The Pharisees - one group of the religious leaders
Jesus
Before we get to the issue of peace, let’s look at the whole donkey riding/cloak laying procession.
For several chapters now, Luke has been noting that Jesus has been on his way to Jerusalem. Last week, we saw Him departing from Jericho and beginning the steep, 18 mile/2600 foot climb up toward Jerusalem. Before getting to the city, He comes to the villages of Bethany (which means house of dates or house of ananias) and Bethphage (which means house of figs) - both east of Jerusalem, roughly 1-2 miles from the city and located on the eastern slopes of the mount of Olives.
So, Jesus sent his disciples ahead to secure this donkey. Was he planning a kingly procession? Was He tired from the hike? We don’t know. Whatever His reason, they acquire the donkey just as Jesus requested and predicted from the trusting owners.
The disciples (likely the 12 apostles and dozens, even hundreds more people) then take the initiative and place cloaks on the donkey and on the road, celebrating Jesus as a sort of King of Peace.
So, let’s begin by reflecting on…
The peace that the crowd proclaims (36-38)
Normally when new Kings would come into a city, they would come on horseback, with an army as an entourage - noting their strength and conquering power. In times of peace, with a peaceful transfer of power, kings would enter the city on their inaugural journey on a donkey or another beast of burden. We see this in 1 Kings 1:33 as Solomon enters into Jerusalem for his coronation, riding on a mule.
Here, as the “multitude of his disciples began to rejoice and praise God” (37) they seemed to be proclaiming Jesus as a king of peace. While there are spiritual elements to this, it seems like by giving him the title of “King”, they are proffering a sort of political peace. It’s as though they were looking back to the reign of David as he ruled in Jerusalem. They may have been looking for this king to locate on a throne, rule from a palace, and reign over the region from Jerusalem. In other words, a godly, human king with geo-political authority.
They may have been looking way back to a man like Melchizedek - the king of Salem and priest of God who blessed Abraham. It’s believed that the Salem where he ruled was in the same location as Jerusalem. Now, the writer of Hebrews helps us to make that connection as well - Jesus as a priest and King (Hebrews 7).
While Jesus is a King, His kingdom is one this is not geographically or politically limited. His reign is above the earthly rulers and spans the borders of nations.
Here is where we I think need to be mindful and careful, especially in a representative democracy like ours. We might think that the ruler that will cause our nation to prosper will come from one party or another. We might be tempted to assume that Jesus has endorsed one party and not another.
Where political peace is often promoted through coercion and enforcement from the top down, the peace that Jesus brings is through transformation from the bottom up. I think this is why so much of Jesus’ ministry took place among commoners and even the poor. That’s why so much of the advancement of the early church happened through house-to-house meetings and person-to-person encounters.
I believe Jesus truly is “the King who comes in the name of the Lord” presenting “peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” as they proclaimed, but not in the ways that the crowd may have been thinking.
Notice what happens next. As the crowd celebrates Jesus, the Pharisees call for Jesus to rebuke his disciples. In this they seem to reveal…
The peace that the Pharisees protect (39)
We’ve talked a lot about the Pharisees - religious leaders who instituted and enforced traditions designed to help people obey the law of God. Several of them served on what was called the Sanhedrin - a counsel of leaders from different factions of the Jewish faith.
But it seems like, in asking Jesus to rebuke his disciples, they are trying to protect peace in several different ways.
peace through their power - not only did they have a religious leadership in the synagogues and the Temple, but by being teachers and enforcers of the law, they controlled what was considered right and wrong. Their power, as we’ll see next week, also came with some wealth.
peace through influence - their positions gave them a sort of respect in the community and influence over people’s lives. They held a prestige with their power
peace through status quo - They may not have liked the Roman rule, but they worked it to their advantage. Changing the status quo was a threat to their authority/power.
We will get to observe this even more as Jesus and the religious leaders clash in what has become known as “passion week.” But I do think that there are modern implications of this.
On Monday night, as our elders gathered to discuss several different things, we considered this passage. In this we noted that there is a temptation and a threat that faces anyone in any position of authority, especially spiritual or religious authority. That threat is similar to the peace that the Pharisees seemed to protect. As I considered that more, I began to consider several questions:
Are there places where our traditions get in the way of Scripture? If so, which ones and how?
Is the allure of power/authority running against the position of being under-shepherds of Jesus’ flock and stewards of Jesus’ house?
Am I closing my eyes and ears to the uncomfortable things of Jesus and His Word and focusing on teaching only the things that I’m already good at?
These are really just the tip of the iceberg.
I am so grateful for the guys that God has called to shepherd our church. Their love for God, His Word, and you is revealed in every meeting we have. We can hear it in the prayers that they pray.
Please continue to pray for all of us that we would avoid the ways where we might be tempted to protect our kind of peace rather than promoting, finally,…
The peace that Jesus provides (41-44)
Jesus responds to the Pharisees by stating:
Luke 19:40 ESV
He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”
In other words, creation would proclaim the excellencies of God.
Then, in recognition of the reality that would face Jesus in the coming days and Jerusalem in the coming decades, Jesus concludes this section with a lament and a prophecy.
Luke 19:41–44 ESV
And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”
What are the “things that make for peace?”
By Jesus life and as we’ll see in his death and resurrection - the things that make for peace are not through populist politics or power-protection. Instead, true peace - come in the person of Jesus.
When we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ we receive eternal peace with God. When we then seek to emulate His life we gain peace in so many other ways. So let’s reflect briefly on some of the facets of peace that Jesus provides.
First of all…
Eternal Peace
For many of us, we think that it’s through good deeds that we earn eternal peace. It’s as though the scale of our lives must tilt in favor of goodness. But how can we ever know? Can we ever be sure that the scale is calibrated? And yet, how do we rectify the fact that our good deeds are still done in bodies that have been corrupted by sin. It’s like preparing a beautiful meal with utensils that have been corrupted with salmonella. No matter how good it looks or even tastes, the corruption is there.
Or even as we will sing in a few moments:
“Good works now all corrupted by the sinful host” (All sufficient merit)
We need another way.
The Bible says in Hebrews 9:22 “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.”
The question is - whose blood? In the OT sacrificial system, which the Pharisees promoted, sacrifices were happening all the time. Then annually, as if to cover or atone for the sins of the entire nation, a goat was sacrificed to pay for the people’s sin and another covered with the sacrificed goat’s blood and then removed from the community - in a sense both paying for sin with blood and removing that sin. And yet, that was done annually, in addition to a variety of daily sacrifices.
The eternal peace that Jesus offers is different.
The Apostle Paul writes:
Romans 5:1 ESV
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:7–10 ESV
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.
So now, the perfect lamb of God, offered His perfect blood in a sacrificial offering, granting peace between us and God forever!
So, one of the “things that made for peace” was to culminate the sacrificial system in Jesus Christ himself. Ultimately, when Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in two, essentially opening the way for God’s people to have direct access into the most holy place, direct access to God.
Because the people of Jesus day didn’t fully understand who Jesus was and what He accomplished, the religious leaders quickly replaced the torn veil and resumed the sacrifices - that is until the year 70AD. At that time, just as Jesus predicted, the city was surrounded and destroyed. The temple was torn down. As I understand it, there have not been sacrifices since the temple was destroyed. God has forced their hand - and yet many refuse to believe. As Jesus said, they did not know or recognize the time of “visitation.” (44)
Friend, if you’re not yet a follower of Christ, I hope that you will see Jesus for who He is and what he has done. He is offering you eternal peace. It’s not achieved through good works or through a sacrificial system that has been destroyed, but through his life, death, resurrection and ascension. Will you come by faith? Will you trust in Him?
It seems like there may be a few more ways where peace happens. When we begin to live out Jesus’ teachings - not just receiving salvation like a fire insurance policy, but truly allowing the message of the Gospel to transform us, then we get to experience peace in a couple of other ways.
Lasting Peace
For many of us, we see and experience peace in temporary and transient ways. Political peace often lasts for only a season, and then strife breaks out or a new election happens. Peace secured by power or influence always comes under the threat of another, more powerful one - one bully at school replaced by another; one popular friend group replaced by the next; one fad replaced by another.
It seems like the peace that Jesus offers is a peace that is not influenced by circumstances or situations. This is a peace that acknowledges the sovereign work of God in our lives and in the world. This is a peace that rests in the knowledge that we see in:
Romans 8:28 ESV
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
What’s more, is that with eternal peace or peace with God, we now have an intimate connection with God. Therefore, our attitude toward the challenging circumstances of like can resonate with…
Philippians 4:6–7 ESV
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When we face trials, we can rest in the confidence that God is in control. We may not like the situation, but there is peace. His peace will guard our hearts and minds!
There is one final peace that I’d like us to consider and that is…
Personal Peace
When we come to faith in Jesus and begin to live life His way in the midst of His community, there is a bit of a tension or friction as our old ways of life are leaving us and new ways of life are being revealed in us. That friction is internal, but also interpersonal as people around us may balk at the transformation. But there is also a sense of peace in knowing that I am His and He is mine. My purpose and plan is in His hands. Nothing is outside of His control.
We may begin to sense a lack of peace when we allow sin to get a foothold in our lives or when we fail to live up to the life that Jesus calls us to live. And yet we can rest in the promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).
Like a toddler learning to walk on solid ground, as we continue to grow in to the life that Jesus secured for us, we have that firm foundation of an unconditional love, even as we stumble around developing muscles of love, joy peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23).
Closing thoughts
We may be tempted to seek for peace through political populism or power, but the peace that Jesus offers is personal, lasting, and eternal. May we embrace and embody Jesus’ peace.
Let’s pray.
Benediction
Colossians 3:15 ESV
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Questions for reflection and discussion
Read: Luke 19:28-44
What specific instructions did Jesus give two of His disciples? (19:30–31)
How did people react to Jesus’ entrance into the city? (19:36–37)
In what way were the words of the disciples’ praises significant? (19:38)
How did Jesus respond to the Pharisees’ rebuke? (19:40)
How did Jesus react when He saw the city of Jerusalem? (19:41)
In what way did the people of Jerusalem miss a golden opportunity? (19:44)
Where do you think most people search for peace?
Why do you think some people easily believe peace apart from God is possible while peace through a relationship with God seems unreal?
What has God done to provide mankind peace?
The Lord promises that the world cannot take away the peace he gives (John 14:27; 16:33), but we see Christians who lack peace and face trouble. How do we reconcile those two things?
What are you doing to maintain peace with God? How can you help others find greater peace in Christ?
Sources:
Anyabwile, Thabiti. Exalting Jesus in Luke. Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary. Nashville, TN: Holman Reference, 2018.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke 9:51-24:53. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1999.
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Martin, John A. “Luke.” In The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, edited by J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985.
Liefeld, Walter L. “Luke.” In The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, edited by Frank E. Gaebelein, Vol. 8. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1984.
Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
McKinley, Mike. Luke 12-24 for You. Edited by Carl Laferton. God’s Word for You. The Good Book Company, 2016.
Schaefer, Glenn E. “Peace.” In Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, Electronic ed., 597–98. Baker Reference Library. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1996.
Stein, Robert H. Luke. Vol. 24. The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992.
Tyler, William S. “The Son of Man.” Bibliotheca Sacra 22, no. 85 (1865): 51–78.
The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press, 2005. Print.
Wilcock, Michael. The Savior of the World: The Message of Luke’s Gospel. The Bible Speaks Today. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1979.
