It’s the day after Christmas and we can all breathe. The presents have been opened and we’ve had time with family, all is right with the world…or for most it is. However, for some, there is turmoil, pain, loneliness, grief, and a total disconnect from the world. There is no sense of peace. All around are tidings of “Peace on Earth, goodwill toward men” yet for some, there is no peace. Even though today’s Bible Journaling verse isn’t considered a Christmas verse, it echoes what the Christmas story says, that Jesus is our Peace! Ephesians 2:14 says, “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.” To put this verse into perspective we must look at it in the context of the verses around it.
The Apostle Paul is talking to the Ephesians about their problems between Jewish and Gentile Believers. The Jews were trying to encumber the Gentiles with Jewish laws like circumcision. Paul is telling them all that once they have accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord, there is no difference, hence in our verse, he mentions the breaking down of the barrier or dividing wall between them. Notice, Paul says that Jesus is our peace! When He died on the cross for our sins the barrier between Jew, Gentile, God, and Man was torn down. Jesus is the avenue we take to reach God regardless of who we are or where we’ve been.
Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be called the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) We can find the peace we seek through Jesus Christ and a relationship with Him. Despite the circumstances, we encounter we can have peace. He is the provider of peace…peace internally and Eternally! The world is in chaos. All around us, there is turmoil…wars, shootings, and discord of every kind surround us. But even though all around us is a mess, we can live in total peace.
When we allow Jesus access to our heart, He brings us His peace! When He lives in us, His very nature is living in us. He IS peace! Even though in our lives we are in circumstances that have us in an upheaval, we can have His peace, with the assurance that He has everything under His control. We may go through something that leaves us wondering “why” or in a time of such despair that there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. At Christmas time, those who experience this find it so difficult to find that peace. It is at this time of year that we see so many suicides.
The answer to so much pain is so simple! Accept Jesus as Savior, ask Him to forgive you of your sin, acknowledge Him as Lord, Savior, and Master of your life, believe that He was born of a virgin, lived on this earth, teaching and preaching about His Father, God, that He died on a cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again three days later to conquer sin, death, and the grave, and is now seated in Heaven at the right hand of the Father, and will come again to get His children. Thank Him for your salvation and endeavor to live for Him. Repentance is making a 180 degree turn from where you are headed and heading in a new direction. Allow Him to bring you the peace that only He can give you. He can then be YOUR peace!
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