Hostility meets peace.....

Hostility is something that has been around as long as people have existed. In the earliest stories of the Old Testament we read of Cain and his hostility towards his brother Abel. Things are no different in our world and society today.

The evening news is ravaged with current stories of brewing hostility in North Africa and across the Middle East. It is an intimidating thing to look at the condition of the world around us, and the hostility in the hearts of people. Yet, it is into this hostility that we are called to carry the message of Christ. How do we go into such an atmosphere and effectively make a change? How could God be calling us to be those change agents in such a less than ideal world?
Ephesians 2 says that "He himself is our peace, who had made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." Jesus came into a world full of hostility with less than ideal circumstances. He was an effective agent of change because at the heart of His cause was unity. Jesus came to tear down separation and to unite believers in the common cause of the Kingdom. At the core of all hostility is separation. When we allow ourselves to be separated in belief and purpose we create differences and hostility. Although much of the unrest in our world seems political or social in nature the root is the same - separation!
Jesus came to bridge the gap between the old covenenant and the new covenenant. He was to be that one great sacrifice to redeem ALL mankind. When we go into this hostile of all times in our life span, we too carry the same message. We carry not only the message, but the peace that goes along with knowing Jesus. Just as He came to bridge the gap, speak peace, and tear down separation so can we. It begins with not seeing the task as impossible or hopeless, but recognizing that we are alive now so the time is now!