14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
We are prone to want to change our circumstances. The Lord wants us to change our character. We think that peace comes from the outside in, but it doesn’t. It comes from the inside out. If we are at peace with God, we can be at peace with ourselves; we can be at peace with others even if others hate us and do not want peace with us.
Is Jesus a likely example of the Prince of Peace when so many people hate Him? Did He not say He would be the reason that some fathers would be against their sons and brothers against brothers? Even divide families? (see Luke 12:53) That doesn’t sound much like peace with others, does it?
the inward assurance and peace of mind brings us to a place that it doesn’t make any difference what others choose to do. I can act lovingly anyway. Corrie ten Boom understood that when Jesus had control over her hatred of the Nazi soldier because of what they did to her and her family. Jesus could be prosecuted, spat upon, and stand in the presence of death while being a man at peace because He was in the will of God.
is Jesus and the power of His love that took the two warring races (Jews and Gentiles) and, according to Ephesians 2, made them one. There are Israelis and Palestinians, Iraqis and Iranians who have turned to Jesus this very day and share song books in praise to Jesus as new born Christians.
3:28 reminds us, “In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, Slave or free, male or female”. We have been made one in Christ, the Prince of peace. We need not argue as to who is greatest or who received more honor for Christ. He is the one to whom we all submit our egos, pride, and selfishness. The Spirit of God doles out gifts so that we can all use ours together for the building up of Christ’s body in the service of one another and to each other so that we might live in unity, harmony, and peace.
are people, because of Jesus, who set aside grudges and miscommunications and offer love, because they understand that Jesus calls us to be peace makers, whether that peace and love is accepted or not. But if not, that is not our problem, that is their problem.
Christmas is a message of hope and peace that only comes through that gift. That is why we worship and we give Jesus our eternal thanks.
The theme of Christmas is Jesus, the Prince of Peace, God’s gift to us.
