How to Have a Peaceful ChristmasНамуна

Peace Between You and God

On the day that Jesus was born and the angels sang peace on earth, goodwill to men did they mean there would never be any more war or fighting or evil on earth? 

I have a feeling a lot of people think that. And they’re fairly disappointed that it hasn’t happened that way! Because there is still hatred and division all around us in this world, some people doubt God because they expected “peace on earth” to look different. 

But if peace on earth really meant the lack of war and strife, what did Jesus mean in Matthew 10:34 when He said, Don’t think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword…?

The truth is, Jesus came as a sword — the Word of God — and He knew it would be divisive. He knew the Word is sharp and would pierce to the dividing of the soul and spirit and be a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). Jesus knew that as His disciples, we would be in a fight here on this earth — the fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).

So peace on earth, goodwill toward men doesn’t mean world peace or peace between people. It means peace between man and God. Jesus was the evidence of God’s goodwill toward mankind – toward you. He brought us into reconciliation with the Father, which could only happen when the price for sin was paid.

The word peace in the Hebrew means “wholeness, nothing missing, nothing broken.” That’s what Jesus brought you. Wholeness, completeness in every realm — in the form of restored fellowship with God. Not from the outside (circumstances) but from the inside of your born-again spirit. This is how you can have peace amidst the stress and conflict all around you.

Before Jesus came to earth, mankind was separated from God by sin. Mankind’s relationship with God was broken, and no matter what they did — trying to keep laws, offering sacrifices, being good, washing their hands, etc. — they couldn’t fix the broken relationship: because of their sinful nature.  Mankind needed a savior: mankind needed Jesus.  Jesus brought peace to earth, and that’s the peace He left with you and me.