Prince of Peace

Jesus says that He will give them peace. It is not a peace that the world can give. To see then what peace Jesus offers let fist see what was the 1st century idea of peace was. The Graeco-Roman concept of peace was the ideal state that a hero achieved through war. In other words, peace was the absence of war. One the other hand the Stoics views peace as an inward tranquility. For us today we may view peace in the same way. Our county is at peace because we are not at war or no one is attacking. Or we, individually are not in conflict with other people. We can also say that we are not stressed, have anxiety, or concerned about what the future holds in store. These ideas or concepts of peace are certainly what Jesus wants us to experience but how are we to understand this when Jesus says that His peace is not what the world gives?

The New Testament relies heavily on the Old Testament concept of peace. In the Old Testament the most prominent word for peace is shalom and it carries with it a variety of nuances such as wholeness, health, security, well-being, and salvation. It was also understood that peace did not come from the efforts of the individual but was rather a gift or a blessing from God says, the Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. There is however more to this word shalom as the verb from which it originates means to “complete, make sound” and this was often used in the finishing of major buildings. This verb is also used in the sense of restoration or the repaying of debts.

Jesus says that He will give them peace. It is not a peace that the world can give. To see then what peace Jesus offers let fist see what was the 1st century idea of peace was. The Graeco-Roman concept of peace was the ideal state that a hero achieved through war. In other words, peace was the absence of war. One the other hand the Stoics views peace as an inward tranquility. For us today we may view peace in the same way. Our county is at peace because we are not at war or no one is attacking. Or we, individually are not in conflict with other people. We can also say that we are not stressed, have anxiety, or concerned about what the future holds in store. These ideas or concepts of peace are certainly what Jesus wants us to experience but how are we to understand this when Jesus says that His peace is not what the world gives?

As we see these various means of peaces that shalom expresses we begin to see that to have Godly peace can only be recieved by Christ. As we continue to see the development of peace in the Old Testament we see that part of the understanding of peace was through the sacrificial system through what was known as the peace offering. These offerings teach that with out the shedding of blood there could be no peace or reconciliation with God. We might think of this concept as grotesque but it helps us understand the cost of peace. The peace that Jesus offers us was attained at a high price namely His death.

The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Jesus says that He will give them peace. It is not a peace that the world can give. To see then what peace Jesus offers let fist see what was the 1st century idea of peace. The Graeco-Roman concept of peace was the ideal state that a hero achieved through war. In other words, peace was the absence of war. One the other hand the Stoics views peace as an inward tranquility. For us today we may view peace in the same way. Our county is at peace because we are not at war or no one is attacking. Or we, individually are not in conflict with other people. We can also says that we are not stressed, have anxiety, or concerned about what the future holds in store. These ideas or concepts of peace are certainly what Jesus wants us to experience but how are we to understand this when Jesus says that His peace is not what the world gives?

The New Testament relies heavily on the Old Testament concept of peace. In the Old Testament the most prominent word for peace is shalom and it carries with it a variety of nuances such as wholeness, health, security, well-being, and salvation. It was also understood that peace did not come from the efforts of the individual but was rather a gift or a blessing from God

It is through His death which we remember today that our strife and suffering without come to an end. It is because of this priceless sacrifice that Paul is able to extend to his readers the gift of grace and peace Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

says, the Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace. There is however more to this word shalom as the verb from which it originates means to “complete, make sound” and this was often used in the finishing of major buildings. This verb is also used in the sense of restoration or the repaying of debts.

To know that even though the world is in a state of chaos and our lives may be no different we can live and go in peace knowing that we can have an eternal peace. We can begin to fully experience this peace when we begin to discover the promises of peace found in Scripture. When we see, read, and hear the promises of God they will give us an eternal peace because we will know that our strength to endure difficult times does not originate with us but rather it is a gift and that is lovingly, graciously, and abundantly poured out on us. So when life is out of control and the sea of your life is turbulent claim Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

(NKJV)

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

As we see these various means of peace that shalom expresses, we begin to see that to have Godly peace can only be received by Christ. As we continue to see the development of peace in the Old Testament, we see that part of the understanding of peace was through the sacrificial system through what was known as the peace offering. These offerings teach that without the shedding of blood there could be no peace or reconciliation with God. We might think of this concept as grotesque, but it helps us understand the cost of peace. The peace that Jesus offers us was attained at a high price namely His death. It is through His death which we remember today that our strife and suffering without come to an end. It is because of this priceless sacrifice that Paul is able to extend to his readers the gift of grace and peace Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm

3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

As we see these various meanings of peace that shalom expresses, we begin to see that to have Godly peace can only be received by Christ. As we continue to see the development of peace in the Old Testament, we see that part of the understanding of peace was through the sacrificial system through what was known as the peace offering. These offerings teach that without the shedding of blood there could be no peace or reconciliation with God. We might think of this concept as grotesque, but it helps us understand the cost of peace. The peace that Jesus offers us was attained at a high price namely His death. It is through His death which we remember today that our strife and suffering come to an end. It is because of this priceless sacrifice that Paul is able to extend to his readers the gift of grace and peace Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

And give you peace.

As we remember the sacrifice of Jesus for us let us remember the high cost of the peace that God lovingly and graciously gives us.

Amem

To know that even though the world is in a state of chaos and our lives may be no different we can live and go in peace knowing that we can have an eternal peace. We can begin to fully experience this peace when we begin to discover the promises of peace found in Scripture. When we see, read, and hear the promises of God they will give us an eternal peace because we will know that our strength to endure difficult times does not originate with us but rather it is a gift and that is lovingly, graciously, and abundantly poured out on us. So when life is out of control and the sea of your life is turbulent claim Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. To be at peace during difficult times means that we need to know the promises of God of the have claimed the peace that He offers. To have a belief that nothing can separate us from the love of God and His promises of peace is only achieved by claiming His peace and experiencing it in our daily live. So, this week go and find promises in Scripture that touch your heart and lean on the Him who established and secured the reality of those promises.

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. As we remember the sacrifice of Jesus for us let us remember the high cost of the peace that God lovingly and graciously gives us.

Amen