Jesus Didn’t Come To Bring Peace To The World
Jesus didn’t come to bring peace to the world.
There. I said it. Now before you cast your religious stones my way and accuse me of blasphemy, please allow me to explain.
It may be simply a matter of terminology, but I think we often confuse the purpose of the coming of the Christ of Christmas. We love the passage in Luke describing Jesus’ birth. The “great company of the heavenly host” accompanying God’s angel told the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14) We often look for peace in this world and are disappointed when life appears anything but peaceful. Don’t confuse that verse to mean that in this world, because Jesus came, there would be peace all around us. That day here on earth may never come. We live in a very mixed up, shattered world where peace is often hard to find.
In fact, during Jesus’ ministry, he told the disciples, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) That doesn’t sound very peaceful, does it? The controversy over Christmas that remains today is that Jesus divides people over opinions of who He is and what He did and can do for the world.
Here’s the bottom line; Jesus didn’t come to bring peace to the world. Jesus came to bring the world Peace. Jesus came to bring the world the One who is Peace. He came to bring peace to the hearts of men that are imprisoned by “sin that so easily entangles.“ (Hebrews 12:1) Jesus came to bring Himself to people who could not reach peace on their own. The peace that came to the world at Christmas is to be found within you, the followers of Christ.
In light of this truth, if you desire to celebrate the real purpose of Christmas, understand that it is through you that the real meaning of Christmas is expressed…as you share the Peace of Christmas…the person of Christ…with others. That peace is expressed as we share Christ’s love with people that feel unloved, forgive those that have injured us, feel joy when our world is falling apart around us or give expecting nothing in return.
There may never be peace in this world, but in this world, we can have Peace. His name is Jesus, born in a manger, but raised to live a perfect life, die on a cross, and introduce the world to real peace…peace that surpasses understanding.
Do you think it is possible to have peace at Christmas apart from the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ?
11 responses to "Jesus Didn’t Come To Bring Peace To The World"
Amen, He is our peace. We are promised that all men that choose to leave a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. True faith will divide the sheeps from the goats, the wheat from the tares. Not a popular ear tickling message but one the brethren need to begin to understand as the heat is going to be turned up in these end times.
Thanks Pete. Nice of you to comment on my post!
Ron, apart from Jesus there is no peace. I think you said it very well. Thank you for always being willing to point toward the Christ. In Him and through Him, all things are possible, without Him, we have no peace.
Yes.
Thanks for commenting Vivian. Even if we disagree here, I love the interaction.
I took me a minute to think about what you said. My first thought was if Jesus brings peace to all men, then there will be peace on this world. But that was wrong. As long as this is a broken world, a world that has hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, house fires, car crashes, and illness, there will never be peace on this world. If, through Jesus, war and hatred came to an end, all the other stuff could still make our lives stressful. So, yes, your statement is right on. Trust in the Lord and know that no matter what happens you will have peace. It may not be today or tomorrow, but it will come to you and those you love.
Great thoughts Daniel. Thanks for commenting.
Right on target Ron!
Thanks Cheryl. And thanks for the Twitter RT.
Great post. To answer your question…simply…no.
Thanks Jason