"… Jesus said unto them, a Prophet is not without honor, but in His own country, and among His own kin, and in His own house.” Mark 6:4
In October 2009, U. S. President Barack Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize; a prize more closely associated in the U.S. with the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for his efforts in utilizing non-violence as a standard in public disobedient protests. There was so much hoopla in American politics concerning the award, yet surprisingly, not in the rest of the world. The international community saw it as a commendation for his genuine congeniality and peaceful stanch in reaching out to the rest of the world. The interesting thing about the Nobel Peace Prize is that, it is a commemorative prize named for its benefactor Alfred Nobel, a man who created a product primarily used in wars.
Alfred Nobel was a prolific inventor and businessman; he loved literature, chemistry, and physics. Truly multilingual, he was fluent in German, English, Swedish, Russian, and French. His relentless experiments to increase the marketability of nitroglycerin, would eventually lead him to the invention of dynamite, ultimately launching him into immense wealth.
Towards the end of his life, he would leave the majority of his enormous fortune ($40 million in 1896) to benefit the Nobel Prize. The prize offers international recognition and a substantial monetary grant to its recipients. It is given to those who perform in excellence; aiding humanity in chemistry, literature, physiology, physics, medicine, and the promotion of peace, without regard to the nominee’s creed, race, gender, or nationality. Many believe that the Nobel Peace Prize was an effort to atone for his invention of dynamite; an invention that killed thousands of people in his lifetime; and has continued to kill millions more since his death.
It is true; the Nobel Prize has added international recognition to otherwise obscure individuals whom very few of us would know if it were not for the prize. And, there is no doubt; Jesus would have been the ultimate honoree for his life’s work as a peacemaker. –Or, maybe not. After all, He was the one who actually made the comment found in
Mark 6:4, today's verse.
We do not know if Alfred Nobel’s, Nobel Peace Prize, atoned for creating one of the most destructive devices used in accelerating the destruction of mankind; however, it leaves us with the example that wealth cannot buy atonement or salvation. There is only one who can offer atonement for sins committed against humanity, and that is Jesus Christ, the ultimate Peace Prize recipient. Whether or not you agree with the politics of your nation, take the time to pray for your President, Prime Minister, King, Queen, or Despot; and, all the leaders within your midst. Since, like King David in his decision to number the Israelites, one bad egotistical decision from them, can lead to the destruction of thousands, quite possibly millions. –Yes, today, pray for your leaders; pray for the presence of peace. L.
Study Reference: Mark 6:4, 2 Samuel 24:10-19
From: "The Presence of Peace." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: youtube, i.ytimg
RSS Feed
