It’s hard to imagine a world of complete peace isn’t it? Even when you focus on your own family, it can be difficult to imagine a conflict-free week of peace and tranquility, let alone an entire world filled with peace.
But it will happen, neither governments, business, not religion can make it happen it will only happen one way
Would you be surprised to learn the answer to peace resides with Jesus?
Isaiah 9:6-7
For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen! (NLT)
In this passage, we see Isaiah prophesying again about Jesus – this time calling him the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. The government Jesus is in charge of will never stop growing and will never run out of peace.
In a world filled with conflict, this is obviously hard to imagine. But what does this mean? And how can we embrace the peace of Christ in the midst of it all?
Well, I can’t think of anyone better to learn from then the Prince of Peace himself. Let’s see what Jesus has to say….
You will have trouble!
To begin with, let’s see what Jesus says to His disciples in John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (NLT)
First of all, Jesus has been telling the disciples all about how He has to leave them and how there’s so much more He wants to share with them but can’t. He’s also promised to send the Holy Spirit, which they obviously cannot understand yet either.
But listen, what Jesus is telling them is the truth. He’s letting them know what’s going to happen to them. And at the end of chapter 16:33 we get this it is worth repeating, “you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world
2000 years ago Jesus shared these words with his disciples, and the truth He shared then are just as relevant today. In many ways, we have the added bonus of knowing Jesus was telling the truth…. ALL THE TIME…. We know we can trust him and we know He died, rose again, ascended to heaven, and defeated death.
Having peace in Christ means believing in and trusting all He did. It doesn’t mean you’ll have a conflict-problem-free life.
In fact, being part of the Kingdom of Heaven puts you in direct opposition to the world. You can expect trouble to come.
It means that you can have peace, deep in your soul, no matter what trouble comes your way.
Peace that goes beyond our understanding
Deep abiding peace is something difficult to understand. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul gives us a glimpse into the peace-filled life..
Philippians 4:4-7
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (NKJV)
In every situation, whether good or bad, we present our requests, prayers, with thanksgiving, to the Lord. As we let go of things and give God the power something amazing happens in us, and more often than not, in the circumstances themselves.
- We trade anxiety for peace.
- Fear for rejoicing.
- Suspicion for faith.
And amazingly, divinely, miraculously, the peace of God we have in Christ guards our hearts and minds. Friends, this is a deeply personal, difficult to articulate, peace.
Story
Peace is Christ’s gift to you
Have you ever read through the gospels and found yourself being amazed at all the different situations Jesus found himself in, and how He always seemed to keep His cool?
Think about it; He was interrogated by the leading Jewish leaders of the time. On multiple occasions the crowds tried to grab him and kill him. And on top of it all, He willingly chose to travel day in and day out with a man who He knew would betray him over to death.
What was it that Christ knew that we don’t?
Really, think about it for a moment. What did Christ know that we don’t?
I realize He was literally God incarnate, in the flesh, and that He probably knew billions of things that we don’t. I think we can all agree on that.
But the point I’m trying to make is that Christ had complete and total trust in who He was and what He was doing. He trusted the Father, and because of this trust, because of his faith, He was able to have peace in any and every situation. It’s a powerful truth.
And Jesus has this kind of peace for you and I too.
Here is what Jesus tells the disciples and each of us in John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (NKJV)
Friends, peace is a gift of Jesus – It’s different from the things the world gives – And just like any other gift, it’s your responsibility to receive it well.
- What have you received from the world lately?
- This month?
- This year, or two?
Are you ready to receive peace today?
The Best Christmas Ever will be marked by peace
As we talked about last week, we have hope because of who Christ is and what He’s promised to do in and through our lives. He is the light that shines in the darkness and we can share the light of Christ with others by sharing the hope we have.
But today family, we know that we can also have a peace that transcends understanding by letting go of all that troubles us and giving it to the ever-capable hands of Jesus.
In return, His gift is peace…divine peace…soul-quenching peace.
What do you need to let go of today?
What do you need to place into the hands of Christ?
What do you need to do, today, to receive His gift of peace?
Please don’t allow the Christmas to go by and you miss the peace and hope that is yours, that the Lord has planned for you….come let someone pray for you