Belleau Wood -- the Peace that surpasses understanding

As I think about the story of Belleau Wood…

Y’all do know that that was a true story, right?

As I think about it… the sea comes to mind…

You see… the sea can be turbulent… chaotic… terrifying… a storm at sea can end your life!

Much like these men on this battle field during WWI… who faced a turbulent sea of unrest… of fear… of the threat of certain death…

The disciples — like us — also faced a sea of uncertainty… of fear…

Mark 4:35-41, tells us that of a time in their lives — as they traveled with Christ — when fear, chaos, and uncertainty overwhelmed them…

Mark 4:35–41 NRSV

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37 A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39 He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41 And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

“Peace! Be Still!”

Christ can calm even the most turbulent times in our lives… We just have to trust Him.

John 14:1 NRSV

1 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me.

Do you hear what Jesus is saying?!

“Believe” — is a “present, active, imperative”… meaning that it is a necessity in our lives!

Jesus is saying —

“You DO believe in God… You do trust that there is a God… a Being who created the universe… Whom the universe is subordinate to… who created you and loves you… SO… you MUST also BELIEVE in… TRUST in…have FAITH in… Me!”

“Immanuel… God With Us… I have come to CALM YOUR Storm!”

John 14:27 NRSV

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

Christ enters into our lives to bring us peace!

Jesus promises… no matter what you are going through… no matter what storms come into your life… He WILL NOT leave you there!

Just as He did not leave His first disciples alone… to struggle in the storm.

Christ gives His Peace to us!

And His peace can calm any storm!

Communion is where the Peace of God breaks into our lives… It is where we find rest at the Father’s table…

It is where we experience the Love and Peace that is only found in our relationship with Christ…

Communion at the Lord’s Table is what those soldiers experienced so long ago…

This Christmas… I don’t know what turmoil you are facing in your life… I don’t know what battles are raging… cI don’t know how turbulent your sea is… BUT… I do know where Peace is found…

And that is at the Father’s Table!

(Richard and Ray to help [at the back] — in the Church of the Nazarene, we have “open communion”… I want to invite you to join us at the Lord’s Table… please exit through the center aisle to receive the elements and then circle back around to your seats…)

Scripture tells us that…

… after being born in Bethlehem so long ago…

… after living His life…

… after teaching all that He had to teach…

… as He prepared for that final step… that would bring Peace into the World… into our lives...

… Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples — His family…

… as we “share a meal” with our families, let us be reminded and share in His Peace…

— Before the meal… (bread)

— likewise, after the meal… (wine)