Advent: Peace
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In the year 2012, I was in the hospital not sure if my husband Tim would live. He had hand surgery that was supposed to be outpatient - until the Dr. came out and said that he had called the ambulance to have my husband rushed to the emergency hospital. He explained that my husband aspirated when he was intubated and now fluid has filled up in his lungs. As I followed the ambulance with my 4 yr old son and my husband’s mom, I immediately prayed to Jesus to help and protect my husband and give me peace. When we arrived at the ER, I called all my sisters in Christ to pray. My girlfriend arrived at the hospital to give me support and I remembered her clearly asking me, “How are you not in a great panic right now?” I told her that it was because of Jesus; He is giving me complete peace in this situation.
“How is this story related to Advent?” you might be asking. Well, it’s all because of Jesus, who is peace and gives peace in all situations to all who trust Him. As we celebrate Advent, we are reminded of Who our peace is in and to rejoice in the One who gives it. Advent is the celebration of Jesus’ birth at Christmas and the anticipation of the return of Christ at His second coming. Advent reminds us of the wonderful peace that God the Father gives when we place our trust in Jesus.
Isaiah 9:6 describes Jesus as the “Prince of Peace.” Over 2000 years ago, a weary world rejoices as the Savior entered into time and space to redeem a sin-broken world and give salvation and everlasting peace to all who would place their trust in Him. The big picture of Advent is that we can have peace because of who Jesus is. He created peace between us and God the Father when Jesus entered into the world to rescue us from our sins by dying on the cross. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” And Romans 5:8 says, “God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Jesus restored to wholeness our broken relationship with God by His sacrifice. Through Jesus we have complete forgiveness of sins and we can enter into the presence of God the Father with boldness and confidence where we will find grace to help us when we need it most (Hebrews 4:16).
I’m so thankful for the peace that we receive from Jesus. Not only do we have peace with God the Father through Jesus, but peace is always given to us when we keep our eyes fixed on Him and trust Him. Jesus said in John 14:27: “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.” He has given me His peace in every situation I’ve faced. When my husband was in the ER in 2012, I didn’t look to anyone or anything but Jesus. And He alone gave me the peace that my heart and soul needed. I was not overwhelmed with anxiety or fear but was given peace that surpassed all understanding. Jesus said in John 16:33: “I have told you all of this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth, you will have trouble. But take heart, I have overcome the world.” The big idea is: peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Jesus. As we celebrate Advent, let’s rejoice and be thankful that Jesus came as a baby to grow and offer up His life as a sacrifice to give us forgiveness of sins, salvation and everlasting peace. The second Advent is Jesus’ second coming and we can joyfully anticipate that He will one day wipe every tear from our eyes and restore complete peace and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things will be gone forever (Revelation 21:4). Nature groans to be delivered from the curse of sin (Romans 8:22), yet the Prince of Peace will make all things new and we have the hope that one day we will be free from the consequences and effects of sin and will live with Jesus forever in a new heaven and earth. These truths make us live with eager expectation and we have peace knowing that decay, destruction, death and evil will all come to an end at Jesus’ second coming. In the meantime, how shall we live receiving peace through Jesus? Be peacemakers.
Friends, until the second coming is here, will you join me to be peacemakers to the world that is hurting and broken as we keep our hearts and eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of faith? Jesus said in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called children of God. Jesus laid down His life to make peace between God the Father and sinners; and when we carry that message of peace to others, we are peacemakers. God delights in those who reconcile others to Himself. When we bring reconciliation to broken relationships, we are carrying on the work of Jesus. As peacemakers, we live out the great commission in Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always to the end of the age.” God calls us to be peacemakers, not peacekeepers. Author and Pastor Rick Warren said, “Peacekeepers avoid conflict and pretend it doesn’t exist. Peacemakers resolve conflict and reconcile relationships.”
Dear friends, in times of peace or trouble, I pray that this Advent you will draw close to Jesus, Your Prince of Peace. May you celebrate Him with a pure heart and may you joyfully anticipate His second coming. May you choose to be peacemakers as you are His child to bring the good news of peace to our world while we anticipate His second coming. May our Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every situation (2 Thessalonians 3:16). Remember: “peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of Jesus.”
The Lord be with you all.