“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27
Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace. To experience true shalom is to have complete well-being which flows from right relationships with God, with oneself, and with other people. It is God who “promises shalom to his people” (Psalm 85:8).
Despite the high cost of following Him, it is only through the completed work (the life, ministry, death, and resurrection) of the Jewish Messiah Jesus that we can experience ultimate shalom (Colossians 1:19-20). When the angels tell the shepherds about the birth of Messiah Jesus, they call Him the One who will bring shalom on earth (Luke 2:14). Jesus is the Prince of shalom whom the Jewish prophets wrote of. The Good News of Jesus is “the gospel of shalom” (Ephesians 6:15).
Isaiah described the One who would come to bring us eternal shalom: “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us shalom was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5).
Despite the high cost of following Him, it is only through the completed work (the life, ministry, death, and resurrection) of the Jewish Messiah Jesus that we can experience ultimate shalom (Colossians 1:19-20). When the angels tell the shepherds about the birth of Messiah Jesus, they call Him the One who will bring shalom on earth (Luke 2:14). Jesus is the Prince of shalom whom the Jewish prophets wrote of. The Good News of Jesus is “the gospel of shalom” (Ephesians 6:15).
Isaiah described the One who would come to bring us eternal shalom: “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows…. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us shalom was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5).
Scripture Focus
Philippians 4:4-9
Insight
“The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble.” (Thomas Watson, 1620-1686)
Bible In A Year
- 2 Kings 3-4
- Proverbs 12
- James 2-3
