As they began to interact with them, they realized that the Sawi had no words in their language that they could use to describe to them salvation. One day the Richardson's were witnesses to an unique ceremony. Warring tribes had decided to make peace. The custom was that each chief would take his baby son and give him to the other tribe as a "peace child." The father's were giving their sons to their enemies in order to bring about peace. When Don saw this, the Lord showed him how to apply the Gospel. He was able to tell them about (Myao Kodon), God, who gave His own Son, (Yesus), Jesus, as the Peace Child to mankind, His enemies.
Ephesians 2:13 - 15 "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who hath made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us: Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace;"
Almighty God, gave His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as the Peace Child! How thrilled Don was to finally be able to sit down with the men of the Sawi tribe and explain to them how the Almighty God of Heaven gave the "Peace Child," His own dearly beloved Son, to them, to end the war in their souls forever.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
What a wonderful analogy that Don was able to draw for these tribesmen...the Sawi Chief had to except the son of the other Chief into his life and home in order to obtain peace. It was only in accepting Jesus into their hearts, and accepting what He did on the cross to save them, that they could have peace with God!
What a awesome thing to have peace with God. We've all been on the other side, seeking that peace... perhaps you are still there!
Isaiah 48:22 "There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked."
I remember the night I was saved. I was miserable. My heart was broken and I felt that I had no hope whatsoever. I was drowning in anger and bitterness over my past. I felt unloved, forgotten and overcome by a choking helplessness and despair. I had no peace. But then God showed these verses to me;
John 10:9 & 10 "I am the door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture. The thief (Satan) cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
For those of you who have read "Pilgrims Progress," you will remember that Little Pilgrim was carrying a heavy load of sin on his back. However when he came to the cross, the burden fell from his back and rolled away. That was the way I felt that night when I asked Jesus to come into my heart and to forgive my sin; my burden rolled away, and the peace of God flooded my soul...the Peace Child had taken up residence in my heart.
Isaiah 38:17 "Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but Thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for Thou hast cast all my sins behind Thy back."
When we become children of God and the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus lives in our hearts, then we should exude that peace to others. When we spend time in our Bibles and in prayer, we should start to resemble the Lord, we begin to take on His characteristics and one of His characteristics is peace. We should have a God-like peace in the midst of this frantic, out of control, sin cursed world. I've been in the presence of Christians who make me edgy and tense because of their attitudes. but then on the other hand I've been with Christians who have such a peaceful demeanour that I've left them feeling that same peace. We should be spreading the peace of the "Peace Child" to those we come in contact with.
John 14:27 "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 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
In Luke chapter 7 we read about the woman who came and anointed the Lords feet with an alabaster box of ointment (vs 37). It says that she was a sinner. She wept and washed the Lords feet with her tears and dried them with her hair, then anointed them with the ointment she had brought. In verse 48 Jesus forgave her sins and in verse 50 its says; "And He said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace."
In Luke chapter 8 we have the story starting in verse 43 about a woman who had an issue of blood. She had spent all her money on doctors, and could not be cured by any that the she had seen. She struggled through the crowd of people that day just to get close enough to Jesus to touch the hem of His clothes. In verse 48 it tells us, "And He said unto her, daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace."
Both of these women had a personal interaction with Jesus, they couldn't come to Jesus through anyone else or by anything else...it was personal. They were sinners, without the peace of God in their hearts. They came that day empty and searching, but after meeting the Savior face to face, each of them left with His perfect peace because they placed their faith in Him. Jesus is still offering that same perfect peace today. He is still fulfilling His role as the "Peace Child."
After years of hard work and prayer, Don Richardson finally heard his Sawi friend, Hato say to him, "Mayo Kodon fidasir Tarop Tim fasi fofadivi!" (I want to receive the Peace Child of God). God is waiting to hear you say that today. Have you accepted Jesus, God's Peace Child, received forgiveness for your sins, and gained that special perfect peace with God?
2 Thessalonians 3:16 "Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means."
There's a peace in my heart that the world never gave,
A peace it cannot take away;
Though the trials of life may surround like a cloud,
I've a peace that has come there to stay!
All the world seemed to sing of a Savior and King,
When peace sweetly came to my heart;
Troubles all fled away and my night turned to day,
Blessed Jesus, how glorious Thou art!
This treasure I have in a temple of clay,
While here on His footstool I roam;
But He's coming to take me some glorious day,
Over there to my heavenly home!
Constantly abiding, Jesus is mine;
Constantly abiding, Rapture divine!
He never leaves me lonely, Whispers, O so kind;
"I will never leave thee," Jesus is mine.
Anne S. Murphy
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