The world was stunned by the images portrayed in the media of President Assad’s alleged chemical bombing of civilians. What was most disturbing was the images of small children and babies, innocent victims of this heinous atrocity. Whilst the world sat still and criticised and condemned, President Trump felt it his moral duty to respond with arms by bombing Assad’s military base. President Trump said his actions were necessary for the interest of America’s national security, therefore, it was his moral duty to act. In addition, he called on other countries to join an alliance against President Assad. Assad blamed terrorists for the chemical bombing.
It is in this week 50 years ago that Rev Dr Martin Luther King Junior, America’s civil rights activist was brutally murdered following his iconic sermon ‘I have a dream ‘. His pursuit of peace and racial harmony and unity was tirelessly championed at the cost of his life.
Palm Sunday celebrates the laying down of palm leaves, coats, but most significantly, the laying down of violence in preparation for the coming King. In bringing the gift of peace to this world, Jesus Christ, the greatest Peace giver of all time, was initially received in a humble, celebratory and worshipful manner.
Jesus said to the world in John 14:27 (ASV) ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.’ Trump’s answer to the killing of innocent men, women, children and babies who were bombed with poisonous chemicals, was to respond with missiles – this is why Jesus said ‘not as the world giveth’.
What is required of us is the permanent laying down of our will and our ways – ‘There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.’ ~ Proverbs 16:25. It was Martin Luther King Junior who said, “Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.”
This week, while we may not fully grasp the war the world is being drawn into, let us pray for our world leaders, decision-makers, and governors, that God may intervene and peace may prevail and be our lived experience.