Advent: PEACE
How many times this year have you thought to yourself, “I just need some inner peace!”? We live in a world that is filled with statements and thoughts like this. We think, “If only the election turns out a certain way, I’ll have peace…” or, “As soon as there is a vaccine, I can rest assured…”
The only issue is that this calm that so many are looking for is temporary. It lasts for only a moment until the next “thing” arises to distract us from our truest reality.
Paul reminds the church of this present-tense truth in Philippians 4:6-7 “6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Paul never says that we won’t be anxious. In fact, two chapters before this he talks about his own anxiety in the arrival of Timothy and Epaphroditus. He never says that if we pray, we will get exactly what we want. His simple call is that if we come to the God of peace, we will be reminded of what’s inside us: peace.
In another letter, Paul speaks of this peace in Ephesians 2:13-18, “13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”
Of course, he is speaking contextually to a divided people who are split on their heritage, ethnicity, understanding of Scripture, political preferences, etc. Sound familiar?
The Good News is that Christ, WHO IS OUR PEACE, has broken down the barrier and made a way for one new humanity in Himself. First, I just want us to think about this principle put forth in Ephesians: there is one new humanity in Jesus.
Secondly, and more of the focus today, Christ is our peace. And this same Christ dwells in our hearts through faith (Eph. 3:17). This same Christ gives to us the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 5:5). This same Christ is with us until the very end of the age (Mt. 28:16-20).
So, why do we think that we need peace all the time? Why do we consistently search for things that we think will bring us calm? What are we actually pursuing if Christ, who is peace, dwells in us already?
I’d propose to us that our pursuit of peace starts with a search within.
Think about it like this: in Mark 4 the disciples are in a boat with Jesus who has told them they would go to the other side of the sea of Galilee. As they were going, a storm came upon their boat so much so they thought they were going to sink and die. Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat when the disciples awoke Him with their desperate pleas, asking if He cared if they died!? He got up, rebuked the storm, and the sea came to a complete calm. He teaches His disciples a lesson of trusting in Him in the storm and they were astounded, asking, “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!”
I think many may have heard or known about this account, but I believe many more miss the point. I believe people often come to this to see that if we come to Jesus in our storms, He will calm them.
But here’s the issue, this isn’t the full picture. Jesus Incarnate (God as a human) is taking a nap in this story, but God is not sleeping on your story. It’s not that God is some far off idea that is initiated once we need Him. We have peace because God has drawn near and draws us near to Himself in Jesus. He continues to show Himself near as Holy Spirit and we see the bigger, better picture.
Another problem is that this story is not just about the storm. It’s about Jesus. The disciples of Jesus were supposed to be following their Rabbi and doing whatever He was doing. Rather than running around the boat and trying to save themselves, they were actually being invited to rest in the middle of the waves crashing and winds blowing. What if in the craziness of this year, the Lord has been inviting you to rest with Him and trust that He is in charge, that He’s already going before and making it all good, and that if wind and waves obey Him, so will disease, division, and diagnosis?
Are you seeing the bigger picture? In Christ, peace is not something that we have to fight for, earn, strive to obtain, or even pray to receive. In Christ, peace is our present and future promise that dwells in our hearts through faith and goes beyond our understanding. It’s the stillness of our hearts in the midst of storms to find rest with the Rabbi that leads to the stillness of the waters. It’s the calm of our minds in the blowing winds of our world’s circumstances that brings complete quiet.
In Christ, peace is present. It’s not some far off idea or an achieved status of mind. Peace is our portion because it’s what He’s accomplished and is offering. Peace is in our presence because it’s how He operates. Peace is our now and future promise because it’s who He is.
In this Advent season, we are reminded of the One who came and made peace as the Prince of Peace. We see the arrival of the One whose reign is in perfect peace. And we look forward to the return of the King whose Kingdom is of righteousness, joy, and PEACE (Rom. 14:16).
With all this said, I want to encourage you to practice peace daily this week. Below I have written some prayers that I would suggest for you to pray in the morning, afternoon, and evening as a reminder of the peace that has been given to us in Christ.
Morning - Jesus, You are Peace. You accomplished peace, You offer peace, and You don’t separate us from Yourself. Remind me today in all things to remain in You. Help me to choose the truth that peace that surpasses all understanding dwells in my heart and fills my life. Empower me in peace to live in full connection with You as I love You, my neighbor and myself. Amen.
Afternoon - God of peace, remind me that although there are waves crashing and the winds are blowing, that You are calling me to find rest in You alone. Strengthen my heart and mind to abide in peace. Enlarge my capacity to remain in peace and to be an atmosphere of calm in the midst of the storms of life. Thank you that You are with me and that You are peace. Amen.
Evening - Lord, thank you for being my peace today and everyday. Thank you for the truth that You are who You say You are and You do what You say You do. Thank you for providing for me, for caring for me, and for reminding me of the goodness of Your peace. Fill my heart with peace as I find rest in You tonight, and empower me to live in the fullness of Your peace tomorrow. Amen.
Beloved, Peace has come and He’s coming again. There may be storms, there may be troubles, but we are reminded of truth that leads us to rest in the peace of Christ.: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Amen.
