11 Therefore remember that once you, the Goyim in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by that which is called "circumcision," (in the flesh, made by hands); 12 that you were at that time separate from Messiah, alienated from the commonwealth of Yisra'el, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Messiah Yeshua you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Messiah.
14 For he is our shalom, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition, 15 having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of mitzvot contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making shalom; 16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, having killed the hostility thereby. 17 He came and preached shalom to you who were far off and to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. [Ephesians 2:11-18 HNV]
Alfred Nobel made a fortune from the invention of dynamite, which changed the course of warfare. Perhaps because of the horrors that wars inflicted with the use of dynamite, he made a provision in his will for a prize to be given annually to those who work to promote peace. Today it’s called the Nobel Peace Prize.
God’s expression of peace to the world was His Son. When Jesus was born, the angels’ clear, unmistakable message to the shepherds was “on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14).
The biblical definition of peace is, first of all, peace with God (Rom. 5:1). Sin makes us enemies with God (v.10), but Jesus’ coming to this earth and dying on the cross turned away God’s wrath. We can now be reconciled with Him. Having put right our relationship with God, Jesus now enables us to work at breaking down the barriers between us and others.
Another kind of peace is having the peace of God (Philippians 4:7). There is no need to be anxious about anything, for we are told that we can make our requests known to Him.
Having brought peace, Jesus is now seated at the right hand of the Father (Heb. 12:2). Today, we can have peace with God and the peace of God.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild—
God and sinners reconciled!” —Wesley
True peace is not the absence of war; it is the presence of God. —Loveless
