Jesus Our Peace
Growing up as a teenager, I liked to watch the Miss America Pageant with each state represented and also the Miss Universe Pageant with its contestants from every country in the world. And I liked the part of the contest when they interviewed the contestants.
There's a favorite movie of mine about the Miss America Pageant called "Miss Congeniality." And there's a funny scene where all the contestants in the pageant are asked this question: “What is the most important thing our society needs?” And all the contestants answer the same thing... "World peace."
Is it really the most important thing that our society needs? World peace? And is it even possible to have world peace? What does world peace mean? Does it mean that there are no wars between countries? Or does it mean that there is no conflict between races? Does world peace mean no violence in the cities? Does it mean not having conflicts in the family? What does world peace mean? And if it is possible, how does one achieve this peace?
We read in the Gospel of Luke 2:13-14 "a multitude of angels from heaven said, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased."
But what did this message mean from the angels, "on earth peace," when there was no peace in the world at that time? The Romans occupied Israel, and the Romans and the Jews were enemies.
The angels were heralding a new age. "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people, for today in the city of David is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:11).
What is it about this baby Jesus that brings peace? In the Old Testament, in Isaiah 9:6-7, it speaks of this "Prince of Peace." "For a Child is born to us, a Son has been given to us, And sovereignty shall rest on His shoulders. And it will be called His name Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His sovereignty and peace."
This child, Jesus, is the source of peace. Apart from Him, there is no peace. It is a very good wish, world peace, but we will not find peace in this world apart from Jesus. We find it only in the Savior, the Messiah, in Emmanuel, the Prince of Peace, Jesus. "Christ is our peace," Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:14.
In the Garden of Eden, God created a world at peace. This was the intention of our creator God. World peace. But sin came in, by rebellion, by disobedience, by the desire to have control. Enmity entered between people. Fights broke out between brothers. The lie came in. Man and woman went into hiding out of shame.
We can only live in peace with one other if we allow Jesus into our lives. In the letter of James, we read the same concern that all men have ... " Where do wars and conflicts between us come from? Isn't it precisely from the passions that struggle within yourselves?" (James 4:1-2) We cannot secure peace on our own.
We need to accept the terms of peace that God offers – Faith in Jesus. There is nothing better than having peace with God. But we are separated from God. We were born rebellious toward God. So, we need to make peace with God. "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). It is by faith in Jesus. It is because of His forgiveness; It is by reconciling ourselves to God.
When we “go” to Bethlehem to worship the baby Jesus, we have to look beyond the manger and see Jesus on the cross. We will find forgiveness for our sins, because Jesus died on the cross. We are reconciled to God by faith through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; The punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we have been healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
When we make peace with God, Jesus’ death on the cross brings us peace. Making peace with God means asking for forgiveness, repenting for what you have done wrong, and trusting Jesus as your Savior.
"For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him, to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood shed on the cross" (Colossians 1:19-20).
His sacrifice for us… He took our place. He took our punishment. Jesus didn't just bring us peace; He is our peace. And when we are forgiven by God, it results in peace with God.
And something else happens when we make peace with God... We find that we can have peace with men! This is one step closer to world peace! Peace begins with each one of us… with the relationships we have.
"For Christ is our peace... He has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility." Paul in his letter to Ephesians 2:13-14, wrote this... that there will be no separation between Jew and Gentile, because this wall that separated us was torn down when Christ died on the cross. We are one in Christ. It's not because of religion, or race, or anything else. Faith in Jesus unites us. There is peace for others when we put our trust and faith in Jesus.
And the "peace on earth" that the angels announced the night Jesus was born, that "Silent Night, Holy Night," is made possible so that we can act with love toward our neighbor and with our family.
The Prince of Peace, Jesus, gives us the peace we long for. Peace with God and peace with man. And this desire for peace of Miss America and Miss Universe is attainable in Jesus Christ our Savior, the baby born in Bethlehem.
Rev. Susan McKeithen, NBC Executive Assistant to the President, Spanish Ministry pastor, Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene
Published: 12/21/2022
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