In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize, we should have a Nobel Shalom Prize.

Too many people confuse true peace with the peace of the grave. This peace of the grave has come at last to Gaza.

I’m glad the guns and missiles have (mostly) fallen silent.  But I can’t say that Gaza is resting in peace amidst the rubble when so many dead and hideously wounded children cry out to us for shalom.

What is the true peace we call shalom?

A peace for Israelis and Palestinians, for Christians, Jews and Muslims, in which justice rolls on like a river and righteousness like a never failing stream!

A peace for Israelis and Palestinians, for Christians, Jews and Muslims, in the Way of Jesus, which proclaims:

good news to the poor physically and spiritually

     freedom for the prisoners physically and spiritually

recovery of sight for the blind physically and spiritually

     freedom for the oppressed physically and spiritually

a time of the LORD’s favor physically and spiritually.

(Luke 4:18-19).

We need a true peace of shalom for Israelis and Palestinians, for Christians, Jews and Muslims when everyone sits under their own vine and fig tree, and no one will make them afraid. (Micah 4:4; 1 Kings 4:25; Zechariah 3:10).

Anyone who establishes such a true peace of shalom deserves to be blessed and to win a Nobel Shalom Prize.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Do you believe true peace—shalom—is possible for Israelis and Palestinians,for Christians, Jews and Muslims? How? How not? Why? Why not?

For a peacemaker to be blessed (Matthew 5:9), do they need to make the peace of the grave or the true peace of shalom? Why? How?

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For related thoughts, please read my blogs “Alcatraz: Escaping by Using ‘Countervailing Powers’” and “Jesus Climbs the Temple Mount”.