05212022 – John 14. 23-29
No one said coming out of a “world-wide pandemic” would be “a cakewalk” for anyone.
There are still a lot of “unknowns” and a lot of “uncertainty.” The “1918 influenza pandemic” was “the most severe pandemic in recent history.” It was caused by an H1N1 virus with genes of “avian or “bird” origin.”
Although there is not universal consensus regarding “where” the virus originated, it spread worldwide during 1918-1919.
In the United States, it was first identified in “military personnel” in spring of 1918.
It is estimated that about 500 million people or one-third of the world’s population became infected with “that virus.” The number of deaths was “estimated” to be at least 50 million worldwide with about 675,000 occurring in the United States.
Mortality was high in people younger than 5 years old, 20-40 years old, and 65 years and older. The high mortality in healthy people, including those in the 20-40 year age group, was a unique feature “of that pandemic.”
With no vaccine to protect against “influenza infection” and no antibiotics to treat “secondary bacterial infections” that can be associated with influenza infections, -“control efforts” worldwide were limited -to “non-pharmaceutical interventions” such as “isolation,” “quarantine,” “good personal hygiene,” “use of disinfectants,” and “limitations of public gatherings,” which were all applied unevenly.
Like before, “our present pandemic” is taking THE BLAME and “the hit” for a number of our world’s problems. For the past 30 months we have all been on an emotional rollercoaster…that unfortunately continues on…
Peace seems “fleeting” for a lot of people. “Frustration” seems to be ruling the day. “Anger” is everywhere, and especially evident on the streets. We see “a spirit of despair” running wild in our society. No one knows WHO to believe. Hardship, struggle, conflict, disruption, and fear, are all very real. People are fatigued. They are tired. They are exhausted. They long to be done, and know, as much as they want that to be the case, we are not there, yet.
It seems many are stressed out, weary, lonely, and eager, for just about anyone to talk to them, or listen, to their stories of woe.
We see broken families, addicted people, and domestic terrorism on the rise. Freeways shutdown are becoming more common place as police or sheriffs departments scour the pavement searching for casings.
Tempers “erupt” quickly. Even roadrage itself is blamed on the pandemic.
You want to avoid being in the wrong place at the wrong time, as if, that were – even humanly possible, to do so.
Suicide and shootings have become near “record high.” We see and hear of “actual war and conflict” – taking place on our TV’s today. People are tired of, and tone deaf to – all the “bad news”…and yet, we dwell on it. We wear it like its some kind of a badge of honor.
Higher prices, rising inflation, increasing wages and yet seemingly most employers have a hard time attracting and maintaining employees. Business closings – are becoming routine. Many have shut down permanently, with no intention of ever reopening…Even baby formula has taken a hit.
And along comes Jesus in John’s gospel, offering a “word of peace.” His peace. Shalom.
The Hebrew word “shalom” is understood around the world to mean “peace.” However, peace is only one small part of the meaning.
Shalom is used both to “greet people” and to “bid them farewell,” and it means much more than “peace, hello or goodbye.”
Hebrew words go “beyond their spoken pronunciation.” Each Hebrew word conveys “feeling, intent, and emotion.”
So what we are saying is…Shalom is more than just “simply peace”; it is a complete peace.
It is a feeling of contentment, completeness, wholeness, well-being, and harmony.
The context of the original Aaronic Blessing is ironic. God told Aaron to bless Israel with “peace” while they were getting ready “to go conquer the Promised Land.” That’s where “this blessing” originally comes from…
If peace means “the absence of war,” then this did not make too much sense, seeing as they would soon be destroying whole cities and villages.
The Aaronic Blessing is referring to “an inner peace” and “completeness” brought on by sharing in God’s countenance and God’s protection.
God’s countenance has always had “special significance.” It is more than facial expression, more than his appearance, more than his demeanor, he is not remote and far away. Some day, we will all see him face-to-face. That was the blessing that Israel needed!
Israel was to “rarely experience” times of outward peace, but even in the midst of battle, they were to have “an inward rest” brought on by “the presence of the Lord,” regardless of the “outward circumstances.”
So what is it (?) that we are missing today…it is that continual, abiding, “presence of the Lord,” in our daily lives, seeing him, ever before us…and always “with us.”
This is the peace that Jesus is offering today. His peace. Amen.