“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)
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:13-14)
At the birth of Jesus, the angels announced to the shepherds, “peace.”
Later in His ministry Jesus said, Luke 12:51-53, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”
As we light the candle of peace how can these statements be reconciled?
We know since the beginning of recorded time there has been war, bloodshed, destruction. The Old Testament records war after war. The inheritance of the promised land was taken by war.
When one reads all the conflict and bloodshed in the context of God’s eternal purpose, all is related to God destroying anything that prevents the coming of the Messiah and the provision for our eternal salvation.
So where is the peace?
The world defines peace as the absence of conflict, or tranquility. The world’s peace is dependent on circumstances.
One of the most severe punishment for a prisoner is solitary confinement, but it is peaceful.
This is why Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”
His peace is an inner calmness even during storm.
In the most difficult circumstances one can have His peace even when it makes no sense. Paul wrote about this peace, Philippians 4:7,
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
This peace was dramatically illustrated in Peter’s life, Acts 12:6-7
“The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”
Peter was to be tried and executed the next day and he is asleep. That’s peace!
In the history of the Church there are thousands of such illustrations including the martyrs for the faith.
One of the most well-known examples comes from the nineteenth century.
Horatio Spafford was a successful attorney in Chicago. He was financially wiped out in the Chicago fire 1871. It happened again in the economic downturn 1873.
He and his family were going to England to help D.L. Moody with an evangelistic campaign.
Business commitments held him back, but his wife and 4 daughters sailed ahead of him.
The ship collided with another ship and sank; the only survivor was his wife.
On a ship to meet his grieving wife, when it came to the place where his daughters lost their lives it stopped to pay respects. It was there that he penned to hymn it is well with my soul.
When peace like a river attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul.”
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control:
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and has shed his own blood for my soul.
My sin oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
my sin, not in part, but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more;
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
O Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend;
even so, it is well with my soul.
As we light the peace candle, the question?
Do you have that peace founded on Him?