Holidays with the Help ClubSample

The Shalom Peace of Jesus

by Mari Jo Mast

Peace. Do you long for spiritual rest today?

When the angels announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds, they were praising God and saying peace had come to earth. What could they possibly have known that caused them to rejoice so greatly? History tells us there was much political unrest and fear in the Jewish world at the time. So why rejoice, and what did it signify?

The Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom. Its deepest definition is “the spiritual harmony brought by an individual’s restoration with God.” The peace Jesus came to bring wasn’t what the world, including the shepherds, were looking for at the time. Physical safety and political harmony were longing and a priority, but not necessarily an immediate result of His birth. This was why they were disappointed and didn’t recognize Jesus, yet the purpose of His birth was far greater. The true reason why Jesus came was to bring salvation and peace between God and us! The sacrifice of His life on the cross became a bridge between our ugly sin and a Holy God. His resurrection made the Holy Spirit available—bringing us eternal peace!

Hallelujah! What a Savior! Saying “yes” to Jesus brings us rest: rest from our own works, rest from our sins, rest from anxiety, anger, and depression, rest from obligations, rest in our relationship with Him and with others, and even rest from spiritual striving! This is the true meaning of peace. Jesus paid it all.

How we desperately need Him today. As it was 2,000 years ago, so it is now. There is much political unrest and confusion all around, yet we can access personal tranquility, right smack dab in the middle of all the chaos! Is your heart frenzied with all the holiday fuss? Does our current world situation bring you fear and unrest? Take a deep breath; there is hope. God has already provided!

Rejoice! You can be the embodiment of peace as you access Jesus by letting Him reign in you through His Spirit. There is a place in our hearts that can be quieted by no one but Him. Pray with me today:

"Dear Jesus, I need Your peace. According to the Word of God, I believe You are the One who brings perfect peace because You are the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)! I ask in Your name to calm and quiet my busy soul. Make my heart one with Yours. Help me keep my mind on you (Isaiah 26:3). Fill me to overflowing with Your Spirit, and bring eternal peace to my body, soul, and spirit. I receive and rejoice in the REST, which only You can bring! Thank You for coming to make peace available. I celebrate You, I love You, and I am grateful for the gift of Your life to me. Amen."

Let the SHALOM of Christ rule in your heart!

"A great many people are trying to make peace, but that has already been done. God has not left it for us to do; all we have to do—is to enter into it.”

~ D.L Moody