I’ve not spent a lot of time thinking about “peace.” I think the 70’s may have ruined the word for me. Two fingers held in a palm outward “V” was a common symbol among the flower children to express their desire for peace. Then there is the ubiquitous peace symbol which my daughter draws all over the place – which was actually created as a call to nuclear disarmament.
In a time of war, as we live in, there is much talk of peace – the end of bloodshed and conflict. In this context, peace can be a very polarizing word. People fight about peace.
Recently, the concept of peace has been placed before me as an important biblical concept. The word, “peace,” appears 250 times in the Bible. It appears throughout the New Testament, including eight times in the Letter to the Ephesians. In the Old Testament, it translates the familiar word, “shalom.” Throughout it deals with our relationship with God.
Peace has everything to do with Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace according to Isaiah. And we’re not just talking about peace with God. Ephesians 2 says of Him: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Eph 2:13-18 NIV) Jesus’ death is the foundation for having peace with one another.
In Matthew 5, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers . . . .” In other words: Blessed are those who bring forgiveness and reconciliation to others. Blessed are those who share Jesus’ salvation. Blessed are we when we create peace by showing people a peace this world cannot give; the peace of Christ.
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