The Peace Child
by Heather Tietz
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new. But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ, and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation; namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their trespasses, and having committed to us the word of reconciliation. We are therefore ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Fifty years ago, Don Richardson and his wife approached an Indonesian tribe with their baby in their arms.
Little did they realize this unplanned gesture was an announcement that they had come in peace.
The missionaries brought shells and stories of Jesus, but the Sawi people couldn’t comprehend. In fact, Jesus’ betrayer Judas was the only character they seemed to grasp. They loved treachery; they saw Judas as a hero.
The Sawi villages fought often. The violence became worse as each group vied for the attention of the Richardsons. Finally the couple declared they thought it best to leave. But the Sawi pleaded with them to stay, agreeing to make peace.
The next day the two tribes came running to meet. Women wailed on both sides. Each tribe held up a baby. “This is the Peace Child,” they declared, and the infants were placed in the arms on the other tribe’s leader. Violence subsided.
When the Richardsons realized that reconciliation for the Sawi was made by receiving a Peace Child, they were finally able to explain Jesus.
Fifty years later, at the Richardson and Sawi’s reunion jubilee, thousands gathered to celebrate how Jesus is still bringing reconciliation to their tribe and their own hearts.
Reflection
Who do I know that needs to be reconciled to God? I will pray specifically for them to desire to talk about spiritual things with me.
Prayer
Dear God, As You did for the Richardsons and the Sawi people, please give me a way to make Jesus clear to someone near me who doesn’t know the love and salvation He offers. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
