Let There Be Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. –John 14:27 NIV

Devotion:

Since the 1950s, the song, Let There Be Peace on Earth, makes its annual appearance among the bevy of Christmas classics. Mahalia Jackson sang a soulful rendition in the 60s, but perhaps my personal favorite is from Vince Gill’s Christmas album recorded thirty years ago.

What robs you of peace?

For some of us, it’s the disconcerting visit with the doctor. The issue could be minor or it could be major, but until more tests are run, there will be days of worry. And if the tests aren’t good, then the days of worry could turn into months or years.

For some of us, it’s the pressure to succeed and move forward with our careers. What if I don’t get the promotion? But what if I do? Moving up one more step offers significant reward, but it’s further to fall from.

For some of us, peace has dissipated as a relationship has transitioned from bad to worse. Things are tense, and it’s harder to picture a brighter future over the horizon. Things used to be so good, but now it’s all a mess—and the holidays are just around the corner … more gatherings to further unravel the fragile connection.

And for some of us, peace, like our bank account is running short. Mom always said that money doesn’t grow on trees, and it’s a lesson we know all too well. The normal bills are amplified by the expectations of Christmas presents under the tree.

The circumstances and situations of life can evaporate peace faster than fresh snow on a warm day, but those technically exist outside our souls. What about the lack of peace from within?

Perhaps the most haunting and hopeful line in Let There Be Peace on Earth is, “Let it begin with me.” How do we let peace begin with us? We all hope for peace, but how often do we hope to be makers of peace? Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9 NIV).

Sometimes we are deprivers of peace for others. How do we do that? We spill our drama over onto others. We pass along gossip or bits and pieces of startling information without having the full story. We place unrealistic demands on others. Some of us have a “black belt” in passive aggression. And all this does is deprive others of peace.

Jesus offers a different way to think of peace. On the very night he was betrayed by Judas and abandoned by his disciples, Jesus shared these words:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid (John 14:27 NIV).

Just consider the context. Jesus knows what is coming. He has predicted and prepared for this moment. On the eve of a turning point of history, Jesus both models peace and speaks of peace to his closest followers.

When you hear the word “peace,” what comes to mind? For most of us, we equate peace with the absence of conflict or tension. We hear the word “tranquility,” and imagine calm and quiet. Peace is a morning cup of coffee as the sun peaks over the mountain tops. Peace is the sound of waves lapping against your feet as the sun sets over the Gulf of Mexico. Can you feel it? But that is not the peace God offers.

God offers a peace in the midst of chaos. In the hustle and the bustle of noise, in the nearly overwhelming tensions of a dysfunctional family gathering, as the debts mount and the crisis looms, God offers peace. The world offers escape. An airline carrier offers a special rate for those who “wanna get away.” That’s the only peace the world can hope for.

So, how does God’s peace offer something substantially different? If we dip back into the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, we read this hopeful prophecy:

How beautiful on the mountains

are the feet of those who bring good news,

who proclaim peace,

who bring good tidings,

who proclaim salvation,

who say to Zion,

“Your God reigns!”

—Isaiah 52:7 NIV

The context of Isaiah describes a tense situation where the citizens of Jerusalem have locked down the city in preparation for an invading army. The battle is far away, but if the outcome does not favor Judah, the enemy will be at the gate. Every day, sentries scan the hills for a runner with updates on the war effort. Hopes are as intense as fears.

Then, a little dust in the horizon gives the first clue of an approaching messenger. Are they running with joy or fear? Are the advanced skirmishers right behind him? No, it’s just him. And he’s running with flair—almost a dancing run! As he nears the gate he yells, “The enemy has been defeated! They aren’t coming! You can open the gates and party like it’s 1999!” (OK, he did not say that)

And what’s the response? Singing, laughing, and praising those beautiful feet! The messenger on that day is the most popular man in town! Unlike the bearer of bad news, the person who shares really good news is the life of the party. He’s the most popular man in town. Even his shoes look good!

In my youth, I spent a great deal of time at my buddy Matt’s house. I adopted myself into Matt’s family and to this day consider his mom, my second mom. I adored his grandmother, who reveled me with stories of a bygone era (and really great cookies!). One of my favorite stories Grandma Amundsen would share was her early recollection of the end of World War I. In the days before radio and television, the news spread house to house and neighbors banged metal spoons on pots and pans. Her small town emptied into the streets to hug and kiss and celebrate the Great War. What a relief when a war comes to an end.

And what a relief when a spiritual war comes to an end. You see, the Good News—really, the Very Best News of All—is that a Savior has come, and he is Christ the Lord. The peace God offers is not temporary but eternal. The greatest tension we feel is not the anxiety over relationships or resources, but over the future. And with the coming of Christ and his finished work on the Cross, the future for the Christian has been determined. And it is good. That is a peace that transcends.

Bill Search

Executive Pastor of Ministries

Bill Search is Executive Pastor of Ministries at Crossings Community Church. Bill serves the ministry teams for adults, men, women, and Congregational Care. He is a published author and avid reader (mostly early church and Roman history).

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