pastorjguy
When I think of Bethlehem, I think of a starry night, with snow softly falling, candles flickering, and baby Jesus asleep in a manager, snuggled into his bed of hay. This scene could not be further from the truth concerning how the first Christmas unfolded. Nevertheless, it gives me peace to contemplate in my imaginative mind. Peace is the often–elusive feeling that we chase to feel a sense of normal. None of us like to live a life without peace. Somewhere in the mix, we crave this feeling of utter bliss on instinct.
Jesus came to earth so that he could usher in an era of peace spiritually between God and us. This era has become known as the “age of grace” or “the church period.” In this time, God is actively working to bestow peace on those who will faithfully serve and obey him with all their hearts. There will come a time when this “age of grace” will end, but for now, God is showing us mercy so that we might experience the peace that surpasses all understanding. The peace that God gives us, through his Son Jesus Christ, is a peace that the world cannot duplicate. The world can only offer you distraction; it cannot offer you peace. True peace comes from knowing that your sins have been forgiven and you have a right to stand with God.
In his parting words to the apostles, Jesus tells them that he is leaving them with this heavenly peace that he has brought to earth. Before Jesus, only a select few who truly loved God with all their heart, mind, and soul experienced heavenly peace. Breaking down the barrier between heaven and earth, Jesus made a way for all who believe in him to have this heavenly peace. As the Prince of Peace, Jesus offers anyone a chance to find this everlasting peace that was just an elusive feeling chased by mankind before he came. We no longer have to wander in the desert of chaos; we have Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
