“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.’”
Luke 2:13-14
Soon church bells around the world will ring out on Christmas Eve. Voices will sing the angels’ glorious words of peace on earth and goodwill to men. But have you seen much of this “peace on earth”? It’s hard to conceive of it when every day we hear of murders, wars, and tragedies.
We have to wonder if there is a deep contradiction here because Jesus later in His life said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). What we need to remember is that God’s Son came to bring peace between us and God. There will be no peace among the human race until sin is done away with and vanquished on judgment day.
Have you taken a walk outside on a winter’s night? The ground is covered with snow; footsteps crunch on it, but the rest of the world is muffled or silent. Savor peaceful moments like that, for they are little foretastes of a perfect peace that is coming one day. It’s a peace already purchased and paid for in full by Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death.
We have to wonder if there is a deep contradiction here because Jesus later in His life said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). What we need to remember is that God’s Son came to bring peace between us and God. There will be no peace among the human race until sin is done away with and vanquished on judgment day.
Have you taken a walk outside on a winter’s night? The ground is covered with snow; footsteps crunch on it, but the rest of the world is muffled or silent. Savor peaceful moments like that, for they are little foretastes of a perfect peace that is coming one day. It’s a peace already purchased and paid for in full by Jesus’ perfect life and sacrificial death.
Scripture Focus
John 14:25-27
Insight
Thank you, Jesus, for ushering in peace between us and God. Quiet our anxious souls. We give you all the glory! Amen
Bible In A Year
- Micah 1-4
- Proverbs 22
- Jude
