September 2. 2007: War and Peace – Michael Hidalgo

In a world of strength, military might, and oppression Jesus calls his people to peace. Peace is much more than the absence of conflict, it refers to the wholeness of a person. In Jesus’ day the memory of Octavian (Caesar Augustus) was fresh in everyone’s mind. His Uncle Julius was assassinated which caused strife and division to ensue throughout the empire. It was an epic story - in the midst of all of this one man stepped up and brought peace to the Empire. He called himself Divi Filius which means son of god. Funny - the one who brought peace called himself a son of god. Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.” Jesus is telling his people they can become greater than Caesar, for his people will bring about the peace of the One true God.