November 29, 2010 by Mandy Groce. Jesus came into the world to redeem a people for Himself out of every tongue, tribe, people, and nation. Christ is "our peace" (Ephesians 2:14), and came to be the one great Peacemaker; and yet the foreseen consequences of His work involved strife and division, and such a consequence, freely accepted for the sake of the greater good that lies beyond it, involves, in fact, a purpose. We must be exceedingly careful not to reverse the order or else we will inevitably fall into the snare of a humanitarian gospel—which is no gospel at all. Jesus’ Birth —How It Brings Peace. The result is peace in a variety of ways. Nevertheless, when war was declared by Satan and joined by Adam, God's justice went to war to maintain what was right and true. Notice He says "My peace." Christmas Coloring Pages: Jesus Brings Peace. Jesus said, "My peace I give to you." It was a division established by God Himself when He called and separated the theocratic old covenant church to Himself. The “both” and “the two” to which Paul refers in this passage are the Jews and the gentiles. He blogs at Feeding on Christ. It would be very hard for you to engage in idolatrous practices if you couldn’t even have a meal with those who worshiped other gods. Then, as I was crying into my hands, I felt … The ELEVATION. Kathy Carlton Willis. In Christ, God “create[s] in himself one new man in place of the two.” Paul puts this new spiritual reality and new spiritual identity in the strongest of terms when he says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek . It shows us an eternal, immortal, and transcendent way. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and his bride has prepared herself.". Introduction. Pagans even worshiped on mountains. Jesus lived on earth long enough to know that the world apart from him does not offer this kind of peace. © 2020 The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization. STORY: Christmas Carols. Being redeemed by Jesus Christ—don’t you think that gives all of us something to sing about? Simon Peter, of all the Apostles, should have understood the truth of the reconciliation of Jews and gentiles in Christ because he was the one to whom God had given the vision of the sheet with the clean and unclean animals (Acts 10:9–16; 11:4–17). In fact, in Philippians 4:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, and again in Hebrews 13:20, He is called "the God of peace." Today we’re going to make something beautiful out of all of our ripped pieces. And referring to Jesus as the Prince of Peace spoke to His mission. CBN's ministry is made possible by the support of our CBN Partners. Jesus came into the world to redeem a people for Himself out of every tongue, tribe, people, and nation. How does the gospel provide you with peace? The peace of God is not obtainable by those who are not at peace with Him. Cosmic, consummative worldwide peace is entirely dependent on Jesus’ death on the cross. CBN is a global ministry committed to preparing the nations of the world for the coming of Jesus Christ through mass media. "Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to him. The former necessarily accomplishes and secures the latter. - 1 Peter 3:10-11 "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." We have no idea what the future holds. And, since we are redeemed by the same Christ, united to the same Christ, and made the beneficiaries of the same benefits of union with the same Christ, we are thereby united to one another in the same body. What really matters is that we are not separated from God. THE proclamation of “peace among men of goodwill” was not the only prophecy connected with Jesus’ birth. It was seen a place close to God. What does it mean that Jesus brings peace? There is nothing that cannot be remedied by the work of Jesus on the cross at Calvary. The angels knew the Christ-child as the Son of God who dwelled in heaven prior to his earthly birth. His peace is deep and soul satisfying. They learn what so many have learned over the centuries; personal knowledge of Jesus brings salvation and peace. It’s like solving a puzzle. This passage is also potent for those who are on a peace walk toward their last days on earth (the shadow of death). Sincere repentance brings peace. Scripture: Micah 5:1-5; Matt Woodley Bio. 3 Jesus knew that his teachings would divide people and that those who follow him would need courage to do so in the face of opposition. I don’t know about you, but for me, Christmas celebrations would not be complete without music. But we can know the Son of God as our personal Savior, something the angels will never know. God gave Israel a litany of laws that functioned as something of a wall of division to keep the idolatrous influences of the gentiles far away from His people. When Jesus reconciles His people to God through His death on the cross, He reconciles His people to one another. In this sense, he was denying the truth of the gospel by rejecting the implications of the gospel. Furthermore, the peace of Jesus and the peace of the world are distinguished by yet another difference. The death and resurrection of Jesus was always the plan. His peace brings wholeness. When we find ourselves feeling worried or fearful, what do we have to do to get to a place of peace. The benefits of Adam’s obedience we have no reason to believe would have transcended his own race; those of Christ’s were to extend to principalities and powers, to angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim. Knowing that Jesus came to open wide the doors to heaven brings true peace to confused and searching minds. . It is among the most hopeful and encouraging—and yes, most peaceful—words in the gospel vocabulary.” 2 When you look at the other names listed in this verse, does it deliver more peace to you personally, knowing Jesus is involved in all these areas—not just for the world, but for each of us individually? & The Person of Christ. Those who reject God and the only way of salvation through Jesus (John 14:6) will find themselves perpetually at war with God. Instead, I get my fill of Christmas music other ways. . The cross brings about peace between differing people groups who once lived in hostility toward one another. When all is said and done, what matters most? Jesus’ peace teaches not to live on bread alone, not to rely on circumstances, not to thrive on worldy gain. . Peace of Mind through God. Jesus brings peace to those who submit to His leading. 3:28). Jesus also brings peace on earth by sending the Holy Spirit to live within believers. Micah predicts the coming Messiah. Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/1971yes As we are filled with his peace, we also glorify him in our submission to him. In Matthew 10:34, Jesus is speaking about the divisions that will come even among family members over their belief or lack of belief about Him. I sang in Christmas pageants and cantatas. This opposition could affect peaceful relations among family members. Rather, Scripture holds out to us a far more glorious picture of reconciliation through the atoning work of Christ. But we can sing a different kind of song than the angels. While Jesus did not die to redeem unfallen angels (Heb. However, peace wasn’t brought in the way Israel expected, and we often fall into thinking like Israel. Such verses as Isaiah 9:6, Luke 2:14, and John 14:27 make it clear that Jesus came to bring peace, but that peace is between the man and God. If it brings hard times, God can be there for us. Jesus came to fulfill the ceremonial laws that separated Israel from the nations. Lasting peace comes from Jesus. However, when Peter purposefully separated himself and refused to eat with the gentile believers in Galatia, he was rebuilding the wall of division that was broken down by the death of Jesus on the cross. This sermon is part of the sermon series "The Promise of Better Days". Part of the purpose of Jesus coming to earth is to do what? In other words, Jesus brought peace to his followers, and he brings peace to us now. In the OT, worship took place on a mountain. The cross of Christ provides everything that we need as individuals before God as well as everything we need as creatures living in relationship with other created beings. 1:10). How does peace bring life? Joy to the world, the Lord has come! What it means is that God will be elevated. Isn’t it interesting to see the pairing here? He brings peace to us through the cross of His Son Jesus. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it." May God give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand that we may turn to Him and be forgiven, healed, delivered, preserved, and made the beneficiaries of all the blessings that Jesus purchased for us on that cross. May their path be illuminated with the light of the Peace-giver. How is the God-factor so important to the acquiring and spreading of peace? What contrast do you see between darkness and light, between shadows of death and peace? What are some of the names of Jesus, according to this passage? So, Jesus acknowledged this difference when he said, above, that he gives his peace not as the world gives. Knowing that Jesus came into this world to heal damaged relationships with God brings peace to a troubled soul. Among the names of Jesus Christ is that of Prince of Peace. Jesus Brings the Gift of Peace. The mission of Christ was to bring peace to the world. This unhappy truth does not, of course, imply that followers of Jesus are to seek conflict or to try to split up families. May we pray to the Author of Christmas and ask him to sing his songs into our hearts so that we might sing them to others as we share the Good News of peace. His peace can never be taken away and is ours forever in him. This context is also related in Luke 12:51. Peace, Redemptive History, We would sell ourselves short if—in our consideration of the vertical dimensions of the cross—we focused only on the way in which God reconciles different people together in Christ. In this Advent season, we are looking at the theme of God's promise of better days for our lives. Jesus does, however, promise a peace that will quiet your heart. It brings us into the heavenly places. Christmas music was a part of that very first Christmas, too. See series. To that mediation it is that the Christian owes his state of grace or acceptance in the present, and his triumphant hope of glory in the future. The Scriptures do not teach the universal fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of men. When Jesus came, He fulfilled all of the ceremonial laws that God had given to Israel in the old covenant so that there was no more need for them in the form in which they had been given (Mark 7:15; Acts 10:9–16; 11:4–17). The vertical reconciliation of fallen men to God is foundational to the horizontal reconciliation of man to man. I was crying uncontrollably and around me was nothing but darkness. I program my smart TV to play the top Christian Christmas tunes on YouTube. For the Jews, the hope of shalom was wrapped up in the coming of a Savior who would open the door to peace. Needless to say, after numerous visitors took a cue from the world of celebrity award shows and wrote “pray for world peace,” we decided to discontinue that section of the card. The Scottish theologian John Eadie captured the essence of this aspect of the cross when he wrote: The one Reconciler is the head of these vast dominions, and in Him meet and merge the discordant elements which sin had introduced. In the name of peace, they tempt us to compromise so that in the end we lose the peace that Jesus brings. Click the preview above to download this free printable Here is the fourth coloring page in our special Advent Coloring Book by Mandy Groce. The peace of Jesus is certain and secure, whereas world peace has no certainty from day to day. I can’t even imagine what it was like to hear the angelic choir as they sang. For instance, the dietary laws of the Old Testament served to represent these two groups. that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. Let’s dive into some examples of how he does so. Jesus’ peace takes the scattered pieces and puts them in order. When Jesus reconciles His people to God through His death on the cross, He reconciles His people to one another. Read as Single Page Page 1 of 1. The effects of creaturely reconciliation are felt for all of eternity on account of His saving works. Jesus Christ is also seen as the One who gives peace. So much of the good news is the message of peace. Children, music, and Christmastime—all of my favorite things! This showed that he had come to break down the middle wall of separation between Jews and gentiles. What does this passage say is the source of peace? As blood is thicker than water in our natural relations, so the Spirit is stronger than both in our union with Christ. Colossians 1:20 shares that it was by "making peace by the blood of his cross." - Romans 5:1 "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety." Simeon and Anna are moved to … How did Jesus provide this peace? Since I’m self-isolating due to being high-risk for COVID-19, this year Christmas looks different. So, even though the kingdom of God ultimately establishes God’s peace on earth, the advance of the kingdom brings division. His work was much more extensive than that of Adam. In Ephesians 2:14–16, the Apostle gave us what is perhaps the clearest statement about the horizontal dimension of the reconciliatory work of Christ crucified when he wrote: He himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility . 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