The Way of Peace.

                            

When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane one of his followers drew his sword and cut off the ear of the slave of the High Priest.

"Then Jesus said to him, 'Put your sword back into its place, for all who take up the sword will perish by the sword.'"  Matthew 26:52 (NRSV)

So it is clear that Jesus' way is not the way of the sword.

This contradicts all who follow The Book of Revelation and all who practise Spiritual Warfare.

It contradicts even the theory of a Just War.

So, if we are not to fight against evil, what are we to do?

"'You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth."  But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer.  But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.'"  Matthew 5:38,39 (NRSV)

This is Jesus' teaching.

It is the way of non-violent benevolence.

It is the Way of Peace.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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