“My peace I give you” | Christmas 2023

Christmas 2023.  Over 2000 years ago, Jesus was born. A great choir of angels sang: ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men’ (Bible, Luke 2 verse 14). Jesus, Son of God and King of peace, came to this earth.  
Perhaps this raises questions for you. King of peace? What about all those wars? And all the other misery in the world? I mostly see a lot of unrest.

Dissatisfaction in society. People who are worried about the future. Will I be able to pay my bills? Or find a suitable home? What will happen to the climate? And to healthcare? 

Dissatisfaction on the world stage. Wars, diseases, and all kinds of disasters affecting people all over the world. Where is that ‘peace on earth’ the angels sang about so long ago? 

The honest answer? We humans are the reason why peace is so hard to find. Because we have turned away from God. He wanted what was good for us, but we pushed that aside. God created us to live in peace with Him and with our neighbors. But instead, we declared war on God by breaking His commandments and not loving Him. This is how all the misery and dissatisfaction in this world began.

But I haven’t started a war, have I? That’s true. But have you ever been dishonest? Do you sometimes argue or feel secretly jealous? Most of us are not in a position where this immediately has major consequences. But the seed of war—such as jealousy, greed, and dishonesty—is in all of us. So if God wanted to remove evil from the world to bring about worldwide peace, it would actually mean He would have to remove all of humanity...! 

Is that the end of the story? It would have been deserved, but GOD LOVES THIS WORLD SO MUCH THAT HE SENT HIS SON JESUS AS SAVIOR AND REDEEMER. And that is what we remember at Christmas. The coming of Jesus into this world shows us that peace is possible again. A very special kind of peace. Jesus brings peace between God and man, a peace that completely fills your heart. 

In today’s world, true peace cannot be found. Circumstances may be favorable for a time—and that is a blessing—but in the end, we all face trouble, sorrow, sickness, and grief. Where, then, do you find peace? Jesus came to bring eternal peace. A peace that is independent of the circumstances you are in. A peace that lasts forever. ‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you’ (John 14:27). The Bible describes this as ‘the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.’ That is why Jesus wanted to come: to restore the relationship between God and sinful people. This peace will lead to a new heaven and earth. A world where peace reigns. Peace on earth.

How do I receive this peace? Jesus Himself says: ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel’ (Mark 1:15). Turn away from sin and believe the message of the Bible. Seek true peace with God!

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