Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, good will toward men.
(Luke 2:14)
Christmas is over. We have once again enjoyed the atmosphere of lights and greenery, set off the necessary fireworks, and now we are at the beginning of a new year. Traditionally, this is a time when peace takes centre stage. Even during the Vietnam War, a temporary ceasefire was declared to emphasise this idea. However, if NATO-boss Mark Rutte’s speech in Germany is anything to go by, he is hinting at an impending war that would surpass both wars of the last century, and this coming year could well be the beginning of it. We are being challenged to prepare to die, and it seems as though everything is geared towards preparing us for this war and rallying us behind it. In this rhetoric, peace seems far-fetched, all because Putin of Russia is supposedly intent on war with the West. Billions are being made available for the development and construction of weapons, supposedly to prepare us for the war that is allegedly coming. Elsewhere in the world, too, there are threats and wars, bringing all the potential destruction that war entails. Since 7 October 2023, the official death toll in Gaza is around 75,000, most of whom are children. Some experts estimate the death toll at 680,000, of whom 380,000 are believed to be children. Reports of genocide are emerging from Sudan, while the US is pushing for war with Venezuela, allegedly due to drug trafficking through the country. Meanwhile, Israel is expanding the war to Syria and Lebanon.
How should we, as Christians, respond to this? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says::
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
(Matthew 5:9)
Is this what we also strive for? How do we position ourselves, both politically and within the Church? Is our focus entirely on preventing war and bringing about peace? When it comes to Ukraine, all I hear is war rhetoric. When it comes to Gaza, the number of deaths is relativised and justified. Sudan and Venezuela seem to receive almost no attention, and this is also true within churches. If we claim to follow Jesus, does that mean we understand that He is called the Prince of Peace? If we use war rhetoric ourselves, can we still be considered witnesses of Jesus the Prince of Peace? If we justify or trivialise the number of deaths in Gaza and Sudan, how can we possibly reach out to people from different backgrounds, such as Muslims? Can we make it clear to them that God is love, that Jesus loves them, and that he gave his life for them too? Looking at the above text, can we claim to be children of God if we turn a blind eye to or condone all this violence? Jesus tells Pilate that the Kingdom of God is of a different order.
Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
(John 18:36)
We are familiar with the stories from the Old Testament, such as that of Gideon defeating the enemy with just 300 men. The Bible also contains promises that point to victory against the odds.
The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
(Deuteronomy 28:7)
This apparently also applies to physical Israel under the Old Covenant. If the kingdom had been of this world, no one would have stood a chance of defeating Jesus and his disciples. However, we have become part of the Kingdom of Heaven, where different spiritual principles apply. By following Jesus, we focus on peace and people’s well-being. Jesus came to save, heal and liberate, and this should be our fundamental attitude too. If we call ourselves Christians yet are not deeply committed to this, are we truly followers of Jesus? Are we called to agree with death and destruction, or even just look away and pretend that nothing is wrong? Should we allow ourselves to be intimidated by the ‘evil’ Putin and dangerous Muslims? Should that be our stance in the world? Or should we bear witness to Jesus and his kingdom, even when speaking out politically? This is how Munther “Isaac” (منذر اسحق), the Lutheran pastor from walled-in Bethlehem, put it:
Christmas is not a Western story – it is a Palestinian one.
“This Christmas, our invitation to the global church — and to Western Christians in particular — is to remember where the story began. To remember that Bethlehem is not a myth but a place where people still live. If the Christian world is to honour the meaning of Christmas, it must turn its gaze to Bethlehem — not the imagined one, but the real one, a town whose people today still cry out for justice, dignity and peace.”
Are we brave enough to look in the mirror and acknowledge that our testimony is about peace, regardless of ethnicity, gender or social status? The peace of Christ is intended for everyone, even those we consider to be our enemies. It breaks my heart to see how many people who call themselves Christians seem to stand in the wrong way. So, are we still following Jesus?
