December 20 Man of Peace

Luke 10:5-8 “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ 6 If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. 7 Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you.”
 
OUR Lord has instructed the 72 new gospel ministers regarding their journey to appointed villages in Judea. Now he instructs them on what to do on their arrival. Jesus is a good shepherd, isn’t he? He gives us instructions on where to go, how to go there and what we do on our arrival.
   The missionaries are to find “a man of peace”. This term comes from the Jewish customs to welcome people into one’s home. It was then and still is today a strong custom among Middle Eastern people (and many others worldwide) to welcome people into their homes and offer them a meal. These are homes of peace – of people receiving visitors, respecting their presence and obeying the customs.
   Such homes are good places to tell the gospel. It would make no sense to speak to someone who rejects you and keeps you from his home. There are homes and people prepared to hear. These are the places the disciples should stay to begin their ministry. A man of peace is one who would say, “You are welcome.” He would receive their message. Then even more, he would be willing to invite his neighbors and family into his home to also hear. In this way, the good news would be spoken, received and believed in God’s good ways.
   This has been the way of evangelism since that time. Many give testimony to believing in Jesus because the Word was spoken in someone’s home. Some became Christians, and in peace, they took the message to others.
   We see this example in Acts 10 as God called Peter to Cornelius’ home. He was a Roman centurion. But more importantly, the Holy Spirit had stirred in Cornelius to desire the gospel message. In the Holy Spirit’s grace, Cornelius was a man of peace who invited, then welcomed Peter into his household. Many there confessed Christ and were baptized. A similar “man of peace” relationship is recorded in Acts 16 when Paul and his missionary team met Lydia. She received the message and invited Paul and his fellow workers into her home. It is believed the church at Philippi was in Lydia’s home for some time.
   Many, many churches have begun in “homes of peace”. Some remain there to minister the gospel in a neighborhood. God’s Spirit uses other churches to grow and spread Jesus’ peace to many nearby and worldwide.
   The very personal good news of salvation begins in very personal ways. Look for those who are willing to receive the gospel. In turn, receive their hospitality. Allow the Spirit to anoint his peace upon those who believe. Pray for Jesus’ church on earth to be a place of peace to welcome the Lord’s good news and those in need of salvation.
 
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I receive your peace in faith. In faith I offer it to others. Amen.