What Was Jesus' Mission on Earth?Sýnishorn

Jesus does not (yet) bring peace on earth

“Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” (Luke 12:51)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. But His coming, as yet, did not bring peace on earth at all. On the contrary, Jesus’ words aroused enmity among the religious leaders and theological experts. These people kept a close eye on Jesus to catch Him in error so they could kill Him. If anyone believed in Him, that person was expelled from the Jewish community. In the years after Jesus’ resurrection, His followers were thrown into prison and killed.

This also led to divisions in families, when some family members confessed Jesus and others did not. In those days, people were not free to believe what they wanted, especially when it came to the expected Messiah! This led to distressing situations, divided families and even wars. And still today, faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior can come at great cost to people.

‘Peace on earth’ in the political or social sense is not Jesus’ first goal. He brings peace with God! That inner peace even hostile family members or governments cannot extinguish. And at the end of time, when Jesus has defeated all His enemies, social and political peace will also come — on the new earth.

Do you know peace with God personally? Does that affect your relationship with other people?