Peace is something sought after, sold, bought and bargained for in the world. It is without a doubt one of the most desired pursuits. Just look through the annals of history and you can see how each generation has devised plans to take hold of it. Countless amounts of money have been spent to secure peace. Peace has a wide range of meanings when it comes down to it. We look for peace in security. The more secure we feel with our homes, our financial status, our image, and what we do day to day brings us a perception of peace.
There is messaging all around us directed with pin-point accuracy at our desire for peace. If we pause for a moment, we see how constant the “noise” is in our world, and directed at our soul. We carry worries, anxiousness, and even anger that we cannot name due to the proverbial hum that we are unable to quiet through any of our own efforts.
Let’s look at a few statistics to understand the monumental amount of resources there are (and spent) on obtaining peace.
According to MarketResearch in a 2024 study:
- 12 Billion Dollars was spent by consumers on self-help (self-improvement) resources.
- 2.31 Billion was spent on personal coaching
- 1.22 Billion was spend on self-help apps
- 655 Million was spent on self-improvement audiobooks.
Now, there’s nothing inherently wrong with aspirations of improvement. It is good to be motivated to improve our health, financial peace, provision for our families, our skill sets any many other facets of our day to day life. (1 Corinthians 10:31) The issue comes when those things become idols for selfish ambition, rather than for God’s glory. (Also see 1 Corinthians 10) Where we also run into trouble is when we think peace obtained by our efforts is a substitute for the real peace that is given by God. The key here is understanding true and lasting peace is a gift from the Lord.
The Pronouncement of Peace
In Luke 2, we read the glorious account of a host of heavenly angels announcing the arrival of peace, God with us, Immanuel. The fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 and the sign of God’s saving presence with His people. This peace was given a name: Jesus.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” – Luke 2:14
Christ, The Word, made manifest in the flesh was God’s divine purpose and provision for an everlasting peace with Him.
Peace is Proclaimed – Luke 2:8–14
Shepherds historically have been on the fringe of societies. They were seen as the outsider, the outcast, the ones who were not at the top of society and class. They garnered little importance. These were exactly who received the first proclaiming of peace. God’s gift of peace is for the humble. The humble understand they need peace and receive it gladly.
“The peace of Christ is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of the King whose reign makes peace possible.” – Al Mohler
You see, the announcement of peace was not an announcement of elevation for the shepherds, but an announcement of the one who would make peace with God possible. In other words, The Savior.
How Did Jesus Bring Peace?
Peace comes at a cost. Isaiah penned down the Word of God describing this cost of peace in the 53rd chapter of Isaiah.
4.Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. – Isaiah 53:4-5
This is the blood-bought peace Christ brought to men. He took on himself the penalty of our sin because we were at enmity with a holy and righteous God. It is sin, the missing of the mark, the transgressions, the rebellion against God and his commands that we earned death and punishment. However, Jesus has brought peace through His righteous life, substitutionary and atoning death, his justifying resurrection and glorious ascension that has brought peace to all who will repent of their sin and believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If you want to know more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, read here.
“God could not pardon without satisfaction, the peace we enjoy was purchased by the One who bore the wrath we deserved.” AW Pink
Practical Peace
Paul writes to the church at Ephesus about this peace with God through Jesus, and how there is no longer distinctions for salvation. All those who trust Christ no longer have a barrier to reach God. Jesus is the way, and the source of peace:
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. – Ephesians 2:13-22
Through Salvation in Christ and Him Alone:
- There is peace with God in place of guilt and shame.
- We find peace with others instead of hostility
- Where we once were restless, peace has come to bring us rest.
“The peace of Christ is both vertical and horizontal, He reconciles us to God so that we may be reconciled to one another.” – Tripp
The birth of Christ lead to Calvary, and Calvary has led to reconciliation.
“The highest form of peace is peace with God, and the deepest source of it is the knowledge of sins forgiven.” AW Tozer
The peace of God is not the absence of any problems, trials or tribulations. The peace of God is His very presence with us. This is who we take our burdens, anxieties and worries to. He is the Price of Peace.
Paul Tripp says it this way, “Peace is not found in figuring your life out, peace is found in resting in the One who has it all under control.”
Closing Thoughts
How to Practice Peace of Christ This Advent
- Take internal stock of where you try to substitute control rather than submission to Christ.
We often do this by:
- Trying to please people
- Entertaining ourselves or utilizing vices
- Asserting Control
“Confession is not defeat; it is the first act of victory, because it surrenders the battle to the One who can win it.” – Kent Hughes
2. Remember the Cross
When your soul can find no peace, return to the gospel:
“Jesus was chastised for my peace.”
“Jesus bore my sin and my sorrows.”
“Jesus has reconciled me to God.”
Preach peace to your heart and see what Christ has done.
How Peace Applies to Advent
The Christ did not come just to calm, he came to claim you. He came to give you Himself, the author and supplier of true peace. Peace comes when we surrender wholly to Jesus, for in all things we learn peace as we learn to trust Him.
Suggested Readings:
- Isaiah 53:1-6
- Luke 2:8-20
- Ephesians 2:11-18
- Romans 5:1-11
- Philippians 4:4-9
- Colossians 3:12-15
- John 14:25-27