If only we knew what makes for peace...Jesus makes this lament as he enters Jerusalem for the final time in the lead up to his trial and execution. He can see the decision that will be made. The crowd will choose revolution and zealotry in the person of Barabbas over him. They will choose at some point to revolt against the Roman Empire, which in turn will lead to their destruction and utter ruin. They will make all these choices because they did not know the path of peace.
This lament of Jesus is repeated in every generation, for time and again his so-called followers make the same choice. They choose the way of the tyrant, the way of revolution and violence. They put their trust in the strong man, the political party, the instruments of execution and war. They choose the path of animus against the vulnerable whom they themselves create and exploit. And they do all this in the ultimate act of blasphemy - in the name of Jesus himself.
No greater enemy of Jesus exists than his own followers who betray his person and teaching at every turn. No greater source of irreligion and secularism exists than those who claim the name Christian and act in every way contrary to his own life. The only path of peace is the path of Jesus - the path where we set about to heal, liberate, and feed all regardless of gender, class, ethnicity, race, or any other category or status. If we wish to know peace, we must follow this way of Jesus, prince of peace.
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