Friday Communication - 22nd December 2023
We come to Christmas this year very conscious of the lack of peace in our world. The Israel – Hamas conflict in Gaza has not only filled our news feeds but has overflowed into our own streets with protests and partisan commentary. I have found one of the most disturbing features of these the expressions of open hatred by demonstrators towards those associated with the other side, a hatred that would deny existence to the people they are opposed to. Open hatred on our streets, seen and felt, is powerfully unsettling, a reminder of how fragile civil society is, how quickly order and peace, the things that make for the prosperity and security of our families, can be lost. And it is also a reminder of the nature of our world, where in many places hatreds and the distortions of the truth [Prov. 26:24, John 8:44] and the violence that trails in its wake, are a feature of life. Scripture records the murderous affects of such hatred – Cain killing Abel [Gen. 4, 1 John 3:11-15], Jospeh’s brothers plotting against him to get rid of him [Genesis 37:4-8], Absalom slaying Amnon [2 Sam. 13:22-33]. Paul can speak of that hatred as a reality of life outside the rule of Christ – “once” he could say to the Cretan believers – “we ourselves were foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another” [Titus 3:3].
All of which makes me even more grateful for the Saviour whose birth we celebrate at Christmas.
In love for His people [John 13:1, 15:13, Gal. 2:20] the Lord Jesus endured murderous hatred and triumphed over it. He establishes a reign of justice [Is. 11:3-4] not by taking life but by giving His life to give life to all who will believe in Him. Mercy, not vengeance, is found by those who humble themselves and turn to Him.
Sent from the Father, the eternal Son ‘who is at the Father’s side’ [John 1:18], the Lord Jesus reveals the true God, and so what is the enduring core of reality. At the heart of reality, for all time, is the God who is love and light [1 John 1:5, 4:8]. It is not just that love wins in Christ, that the life and love and truth of God are stronger than human hatred and lies. There is more. One day hatred and lies and violence will be no more, have no place in the world [Rev. 21:8]. Believers need not fear humanity’s destructive and entrenched hatred will have the last word in human history, or in our own lives.
And through His powerful Spirit the Lord Jesus establishes a people who are even now to live lives of love, a people in whose hearts hatred must have no place. As God says to us through His apostle John
1 John 3: 14 We know that we have passed from death to life because we love our brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. 16 This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. [1 John 2:9-11]
As our Lord said, we must be like our God in loving our enemies.
Matthew 5: 43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what are you doing out of the ordinary? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. [cf. Luke 6:27-36]
Take time this Christmas to meditate on the Lord Jesus, the unique Son of God, born to us in Bethlehem, cruelly crucified, raised in power, and know hope and comfort because His light shines in the darkness of human hatred, violence and lies and the darkness will never overcome it.
And knowing that hope and comfort resolve to be different people by living the generous and merciful lives of God’s children who can love our enemies and do good in our world.
I pray you will know joy and some refreshing rest this Christmas.
