Young People's Group

“And He Came and Preached Peace to You…”

by Mitchell Tan
December 24, 2019

PEACE ON EARTH

When the Lord Jesus was born on Christmas day, the angels sang a message of peace to the world.

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:14

They gave God the highest glory with regard to the birth of the Baby Jesus. When there is faith in the Lord Jesus, there will come peace to men. This peace that the Lord Jesus gives is indeed profound and glorious. It is so wonderful that it took nothing less than powerful angels to announce it and to give Him all the glory. This Christmas, may we truly appreciate this peace that the Lord has given to us and may we give Him the highest glory.

FOR HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE

“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation”
Ephesians 2:14

The apostle Paul took time to explain this concept of peace. The Lord Jesus through His death on the cross brought about this peace. What are some aspects of peace that He gives?

1. POSITIONAL PEACE

It is through Christ that we have peace with God positionally (Romans 5:1). It is through the justification that He gives that we have been declared righteous in God’s sight. And now we have peace with Him forever. That enmity with God is no more.

2. PEACE AMONG ALL MEN

Another kind of enmity that existed previously was the one between the Jews and Gentiles. Before Christ, there was this big rift between the Jewish people and the rest of the world. But now in Him, the Jews and Gentiles have been reconciled as one.

THE LORD JESUS PREACHED PEACE THROUGH HIS SERVANTS

“And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.”
Ephesians 2:17

How did the Lord Jesus come to the Ephesians and the Gentiles and preached peace to them?

1. THE LORD PREACHING PEACE THROUGH HIS MESSENGERS

The Lord Jesus came and spoke to the hearts of Ephesians and all Gentiles through His servants. Paul had written to the Corinthian Church of how he and his company were ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20). As they preached the gospel, it was as though God was pleading through them to the Church at Corinth. They were imploring them on Christ’s behalf to be reconciled to Him. God and Christ were speaking through them.

2. THE LORD’S MESSAGE OF PEACE FOR THE WHOLE WORLD

This message of peace is meant for both Jews and Gentiles. In Greek, the word “peace” is mentioned twice in this same sentence. Christ came to preach peace to the Gentiles who were afar off and peace also to the Jews who were near. Paul preached and taught the word of the Lord at Ephesus to both the Jews and the Greeks (Acts 19:10). In Christ, there is no racial discrimination nor class division. What a wonderful truth to hold fast to this Christmas! Christ came to bring peace to this world.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

This Christmas, let’s be thankful for this peace that we have through Christ. He Himself is our peace; between God and us, and between each other. Let’s truly appreciate our salvation even more. Let’s also share this message of peace to the world. Let’s do our part in reaching the lost on Christ’s behalf.

Wishing you a blessed and peaceful Christmas!

Back to Article Listing