Peace? What Peace?

Every December we sing carols that highlight the multitude of angels who crossed the divide between Heaven and Earth. They declared:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 12:14 ESV)

Sounds great! But, even a small sampling of human history since then reveals quite the opposite. For example, the so called 200-year Pax Romana (27 BC – 180 AD) applied exclusively to the area under Rome’s control. Or later, Europe enjoyed only 50 years scattered between 1500 and 2000 AD without a war. And what about the rest of the world? Has there ever been a time when there wasn’t a war somewhere?

Jesus’ own words seem to fuel that fire:

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34 ESV)

And,

“I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!” (Luke 12:49)

No wonder the heavenly promise can feel hollow. It smacks of wishful thinking, not prophetic certainty. To be fair, some of us limit our concept of “peace” to mean only the absence of armed conflict. So, maybe the angels referred to the equally valuable kinds of peace no one worries about; things like the solidity of the ground beneath our feet, the gravity that glues us to our spinning globe, the abundance of air we breathe, and the certainty that when the sun disappears tonight, it will reappear tomorrow morning.

But we know God’s promises are always “yes and amen.” His Word always accomplishes the purpose he sends it out for. So, what peace were they proclaiming?

In truth, the angels heralded a peace that surpasses any human imagination because it emanates from another realm. And they included a qualifier for clarity. The peace they announced only applies to “those with whom he is pleased.”

Anyone who accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior pleases God. We enjoy the benefits of the “Great Exchange,” where Jesus took on all our sin so that we could put on all his righteousness. When the Father looks at us, he sees us clothed with his Son. No one else receives that promise.

Jesus left us with a kind of peace that exceeds our understanding because it’s not the world’s version. It’s not a rank to be earned, or a separate skill to be mastered. He himself is our peace. Because he has all power and authority in Heaven and Earth, that peace is unassailable. When we choose to stand on that foundation, his peace, for example:

• Dwells within us and goes before us.
• Enables us to break the boundaries of injustice.
• Uses us to heal wounds.
• Allows us the choice of not taking offense when wronged.
• Grows his love within us.
• Gives us the courage to do life his way. First.
• Grants us confidence to trust him for anything he promises. Anywhere. Anytime.

Resting in his peace is not the absence of conflict. Instead, it anoints us to confront the evil forces sent to steal, kill and destroy. It qualifies us to depend entirely upon God’s resources, not our own. Then—and only then—can we administer his grace that offers true peace to a broken world.