There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For peace must be dared. It is itself the great venture and can never be safe. Peace is the opposite of security. To demand guarantees is to want to protect oneself. Peace means giving oneself completely to God’s commandment. Wanting no security, but in faith and obedience laying the destiny of the nations in the hand of almighty God. Not trying to direct it for selfish purposes. Battles are won not with weapons, but with God. They are won when the way leads to the cross.
Deitrich Bonhoeffer
We hope as we close the week on peace, that you have gained a closer relationship with the Prince of Peace. We hope that while we live in a fallen world that surrounds us with anything but peace, that we know as believers we have peace!
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27
The word Peace, or Shalom, in this verse has a much richer connotation than what we know of the English word, since it conveyed not merely the absence of conflict and turmoil but also the notion of positive blessing, especially in terms of a right relationship with God.
This is encouraging as, living in a fallen world, we are surrounded by conflict and turmoil. But I love that we see Jesus constantly reminding the disciples when times are scary or hard that they have peace.
Jesus Appears to His Disciples
“On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” John 20:19
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21
Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” John 20:26
As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” Luke 24:36
These are more than just greetings. This is calming of the soul that we all desire. Jesus continually used these words not only to His disciples but to us as well. Jesus tells Thomas in the John 20 passage that we are more blessed than the disciples because we believe despite not physically seeing him!
This Christmas season, take heart! When things get crazy and busy around you, close your eyes and remember that as believers we have a peace that defies all understanding left for us as the greatest present of all through Jesus Christ. While the birth of Christ did much for our salvation, giving us peace in this world should leave us rejoicing with gladness!
“Peace I leave with you” Jesus
Family Discussion
How has the scriptures taught you this week about peace?
What verse do you hope to commit to memory?
