Peace

As we reflect on peace during the second week of Advent, I think of Jesus, the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” 

Jesus is the Prince of Peace and made a way for us to have peace and fellowship with God through His atoning work on the cross. But did He bring His peace when He came to the earth or was it provided to us after His death and resurrection?  Isaiah 53:4-5 says “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”

This verse says that Jesus was chastised, or punished for our sins and this is the very thing that provided our peace.  He didn’t merely bring peace.  He paid for it. Our peace had a price, and Jesus paid it with His life.  Jesus entered this world and lived among us so we may one day live among Him and the Father in His Kingdom.

Ephesians 2: 13-14 “but now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation.”  We were far off….a long way off and never ever had a chance to be reconciled to God because of the sin that separated us. 

BUT GOD, “so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16.  He loved us so much, He bought and brought us back to Him. 

The question now is, will we just adore Him from afar, or will we receive Him and the peace that He brings and be reconciled to Him?