The coming of Jesus into our world established God’s peace that is eternal. What kind of peace is that?
It is peace that only God can give. Man’s peace is short-term. God’s peace is forever. It is the peace that happens when the strife and enmity between God’s righteousness and man’s sin is ended. God’s lasting peace only comes through Jesus, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be trouble, nor let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Wednesday, I drove down to Atlanta to pray with Haley Swanner at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospital because she was having a three-hour hip surgery that day. This kind of procedure is pretty scary for a teenager or anyone else for that matter. I went into her pre-surgical room together with her family to support and pray with her for God’s presence and perfect will to guide every step of the procedure.
Every person in the room with Haley believes in Jesus. Everyone believes that He is totally in charge of everything that was going to take place. One of the surgeons came into the room and provided assurance and support to the family. The nurse in charge came in and offered her guidance and support. There was, however, an unseen presence in the room. Jesus was there and He brought with Him the peace that passes understanding (Philippians 4:7).
There is no peace anywhere like the peace that comes through Jesus Christ and here is what it looks like:
- His peace calms the storms in our lives (Matthew 8:23-27)
- His peace forgives every sin (Ephesians 1:7)
- His peace guards our hearts (Philippians 4:7)
- His peace reconciles us to God (Romans 5:10)
- His peace never ends (Isaiah 54:10)
Jesus was born in Bethlehem and brought God’s peace with Him. He was born into a busy and chaotic world as a baby wrapped in humble swaddling clothes. Shepherds came to see Him unnoticed by most of the Roman world. Angels attended his birth, animals rested in His presence and Mary kept on treasuring and pondering it all in her heart. His birth was quiet and peaceful. His coming to us was as peace should be, without fanfare and applause. Jesus is God’s peacemaker who came into the world to show us what the peace of God looks like. He’ll do the same in your heart if you will let Him this Advent Season.