Peace Be with You

Following in the Footsteps of Jesus.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“…to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:79, New International Version

The song of Zechariah, known to us as the Benedictus, concludes with the title words, “peace be with you.”  It is the image of the Way of Peace, the Way that is Jesus.

In Psalm 139 the Psalmist says of God, “even darkness is as light to you.”  We are the people on whom light has dawned.  Any darkness we experience must be defeated by the Light of Christ.  Christ is coming, to break upon us like a golden dawn, to spread light over us like a blanket.

Is there ‘darkness’ of any sort in your life today?  Christ is coming.  You don’t have to wait for Christmas.  But you know that already.  If you are like me, you may however need a reminder that Christ the Light is here today.

One of the most powerful and blessed experiences of the Light of Christ is peace.  “No Jesus, No Peace; Know Jesus, Know Peace.”  The Day Spring from on High, Jesus Christ, guides our feet not just to peace, but into the way of peace.  He teaches us to walk in peace.  That way, with our feet planted on the Way of Peace, we won’t wander.  We Follow Jesus!

He shows us the Way to walk peaceably in this world.  And the world, like any age in the history of humankind, needs the people of Christ following in the peaceful footsteps of Jesus.  What is the Way of Peace?  It is the Way of mercy, of grace, of a forgiving spirit, of a heart at true rest in the everlasting arms.  It is the Way of Christ’s servanthood, gifted to us and through us to the world.

I am often privileged to speak the words, “Peace be with you.”  And the people of God bless me in return, “And also with you.”

Holy Jesus, Coming Savior, come today with peace.  Amen.

Text and picture, Copyright Don Schatz

About Don Schatz

I am a retired pastor and writer. I enjoy ministries of intentional spiritual practices which help people love and serve God, and love and serve the community. I am convinced such practices evidence the FULL LIFE that Jesus promises and the world needs.