If we face disruptions and loss, we yearn for answers that bring peace. What gives us true peace? Where should we look? Christ Jesus said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
The peace Jesus spoke of is an attribute of God, of Spirit. The peace the world or materiality appears to give is temporary and fleeting. There is no lasting peace or freedom in matter. Christ, the message of God, brings to humanity the understanding of a peace that is eternal. Christ reveals truth, the spiritual facts of God, man, and Life, which are inherently good and peaceful.
Jesus made another statement about peace—one that appears to contradict the statement above. He said: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). As I read this, I feel “earth” in this context stands for material life. While Jesus expected and demonstrated evidence of the action of Christ in practical ways like physical healing and the meeting of human needs, he didn’t come to establish harmony based on matter. He came to demonstrate that life is spiritual. The sword is the sword of divine Truth, which destroys mortal beliefs of life, substance, and intelligence in matter. Error is destroyed as we more clearly discern the deep harmony and peace of Life divine.
