JESUS GIVES ALL BELIEVERS HIS EVERLASTING PEACE
_______________________________________________________
Peace is God’s blessing upon our lives. His peace is a deep and lasting peace that transcends the turmoil of the world. His peace is the joy of all believers.
“He will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God… and He will be our peace.”– Micah 5:4-5
Our God graciously bestows upon His children His peace. We can trace His blessings and promises of peace throughout Scripture. The Old Testament points to the coming Messiah… the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). The prophet Micah prophesies of Christ, the Good Shepherd, reigning in majesty, who will be our peace.
“The angel came to her and said, ‘Peace be with you! The Lord is with you and has greatly blessed you!’” – Luke 1:28
In the New Testament, the angel visits Mary to tell her of the incredible news. She would be the mother of the Messiah! The blessing of peace prefaces this wonderful news. God knew Mary would need to be reminded of His presence with her. His peace would bring her comfort in the trying times that lay ahead.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests.” – Luke 2:14
The birth of Jesus is heralded by a host of angels. The heavens erupt with praises to God over this miraculous event. The shepherds are onlookers of this heavenly display. Awestruck, they listen to the army of angels giving glory to God. The blessing of peace is bestowed upon all with whom God is pleased. For Christ would be the One to open the way to peace with God.
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27
In His last days on earth, Jesus leaves as His legacy to His disciples the blessing of peace. The world’s view of peace is all about positive feelings and the absence of conflict. True peace found in Christ is a wellness of heart, soul and spirit… completeness, health, prosperity, justice, protection and serenity. Our faith rests in Christ because He alone can offer us this peace.
“Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.” – John 16:32-33
Jesus knows what the future holds. Fear will grip His disciples and they will scatter. Yet He will not be alone. For He and the Father are one (John 10:30). He shares with the disciples the comfort and blessing of His peace that will protect them from fear when He is gone.
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’”– John 20:19
“Peace be with you… Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself!” – Luke 24:38-39
Just as the angels announced His birth with a blessing of peace, Jesus greets His disciples with a blessing of peace upon returning victoriously from the grave. They recognize that this is their Teacher, their Savior. What He promised had come to pass. He had conquered death. His presence and His peace overcome their fears and doubts.
“Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent Me, I am sending you.’ And with that He breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’” – John 20:21-22
Jesus breathes His Spirit upon His disciples. This same Spirit is given to all believers upon salvation. The Holy Spirit brings the deep and abiding peace of the victorious Christ. This peace flows from His atonement for sin and reconciliation with God for all mankind. This divine power calms our fears and doubts just as it did for the disciples.
The blessing of Jesus’ peace gives believers confident assurance at all times. For He is sovereign, all-powerful, eternal. He is in control even when all seems out of control. For He has established His throne in heaven and His kingdom rules over all (Psalm 103:19). Even the most unsettling times and events cannot shake His throne.
The peace of Christ is the miraculous, supernatural realization of His presence with all believers. His peace overcomes the turbulence of our lives within and without. His peace surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Him (Philippians 4:7). His blessing of everlasting peace is the inheritance and the joy of all believers.
