Peace Walkers and the Prince of Peace

What should Christians think about the monks walking from Texas to Washington, D.C.?

Every so often you see something that stops you—because it’s simple, costly, and sincere.

A group of Buddhist monks are walking from Texas to Washington, D.C., calling for peace - that's simple, that's costly, that's sincere...and very engaging for a lot of people.

I love these guys! I noticed, they aren't just walking. They are stopping and speaking with groups of people, sharing their beliefs about life, ahimsa, non-attachment, and the path to peace through yourself. If you’re a Jesus follower, you might feel two different reactions at once:

1. Respect: “That’s courageous. That’s sacrificial. That’s beautiful.”

2. Tension: “But we believe peace is found in Jesus alone—so how do we respond?”

Here’s a Jesus-shaped way to hold both conviction and compassion.

1) Honor the hunger for peace

Jesus didn’t mock people for longing for what’s good.

He said, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” (Matthew 5:9)

People are longing for the spiritual, for truth, for peace. Our first Christian response should not be suspicion or dismissal. It’s honor.

You don’t have to agree with someone’s theology to respect their humanity, their sacrifice, and their desire to reduce harm in the world. We can ecumenically see this as loving and good.

A peace walk—especially one that costs time, comfort, and safety—reveals something true:

People are tired of hate.

Tired of violence.

Tired of the world feeling like it’s always on fire.

People have deep-set spiritual longing.

That longing is not the enemy.

In many ways, it’s evidence that God wrote a desire for wholeness into the human heart.

2) Be Clear: Peace is a Person

At the same time, Christians aren’t shy about what we believe.

We believe peace is not just a feeling.

Not just a ceasefire.

Not just a political solution.

Not found in yourself or in ultimate non-attachment.

We believe peace is ultimately found in Jesus—because real peace begins where the deepest fracture exists: between humanity and God.

Scripture says "we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

And it says Jesus himself "is our peace"—the one who breaks down hostility (Ephesians 2:14–17).

That means Christians can say, with humility:

“I’m grateful you’re calling for peace.

And I believe the deepest peace the world needs is found in Jesus—the Prince of Peace.”

This isn’t arrogance. It’s testimony.

Not “we’re better than you,” but:

“We’ve met Someone who changed us, the world - in fact, all of creation.

And we believe he’s what the world is truly aching for.”

3) Don’t turn “Only Jesus” into a war-cry or an excuse for doing nothing

Some Christians use “peace is only in Jesus” as a way to bash and villainize others, or as an excuse to step back from the work of peacemaking itself.

But the New Testament doesn’t allow that.

Jesus gives peace to us—so we can practice peace with others.

The gospel is not:

Jesus saves us so we can wait for heaven.

It’s:

Jesus saves us so we can live differently now - today! this week!

So a Christian response to a peace walk should include:

• honoring the desire for peace

• forgiving instead of feeding grudges

• listening instead of labeling

• refusing contempt

• serve the hurting

• pursuing justice without hatred

• praying for enemies (Matthew 5:44)

If we say Jesus is the Prince of Peace, our homes should feel like it.

Our online comments should feel like it.

Our churches should feel like it.

Our relationships should begin to heal because of it.

Our actions toward non-believers should reflect it.

4) A simple, Jesus-centered way to speak about it

If you’re wondering what to say—online or in person—here’s a Jesus-filled, loving response:

“Thank you for calling attention to peace. Walking that far takes real sacrifice and passion. I honor that. I believe lasting peace ultimately comes through Jesus—reconciliation with God that changes us and how we treat each other. I’m praying your journey leads to less violence and more compassion, and I’m trying to live that peace out in my own life.”

That’s it.

No insult.

No dismissal.

No fear.

Just respect—and witness.

5) A final thought: let peace start where you have actual influence

Most of us won’t walk from Texas to D.C.

But every day we have smaller, but just as important, roads to walk:

• the road back to someone we’ve avoided

• the road to apologize and seek reconciliation

• the road to forgive

• the road to speak in love

• the road to stop retaliating

• the road to pray instead of rage

That’s where the peace of Christ becomes visible.

And that’s a powerful Christian answer to any peace movement:

We honor the desire for peace.

We point to Jesus as its source.

And we practice his way—one step at a time.

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