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Tuesday 23 April 
Peace in the midst of conflict

Read John 20:24–31Read John 20:24–31Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them andsaid, ‘Peace be with you!’(verse 26b)

What a powerful opening line! ‘Peace be with you!’ I spend a lotof time talking about peace. As part of CHIPS we were invited tolive in Brixton because of the violence between young people, andthose inviting us expect us to somehow bring peace. But the godlypeace we talk about is not what they are expecting.Jesus walks into the room and announces that peace is withthem. He has not changed the hearts of the authorities who stillwant to persecute the disciples, he has not overthrown the RomanEmpire that still holds power in the Holy Land, he has not evenunlocked the door; yet peace is with them because he is with them.A heavenly peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the presenceof God.

It is this peace we try to demonstrate in Brixton. We do notalways try to stop all the different conflicts that are present on ourestates, because conflict can be creative, character-building andprogressive. But we will stand in the midst of these conflicts. Wecall it taking both sides; we will not promise neutrality but we willcome alongside each person involved to try to support them aswell as helping to find a solution to the conflict.

However, we know that if eradicating conflict is our aim then wewill always fail, because there will always be conflict in our lives.But a heavenly peace, that has the potential to break in throughany locked door, happens in the midst of conflict.

† Thank you, Lord, for your peace which surpasses human understanding. Today wepray for all those who are without peace, those who feel the weight of the worldon their shoulders. May we all try to seek your peace today.