Wednesday: Jesus, Preacher of Peace
How does Paul summarize the ministry of Christ in Ephesians 2:17-18?
The concept of peace is important in Ephesians, with the letter beginning and ending with blessings of peace “from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:2, NKJV; compare Ephesians 6:23). Earlier in Ephesians 2:11-22, Paul argued that Christ personifies peace, “For He Himself is our peace,” and that His Cross creates it (Ephesians 2:14- 16, NKJV).
Image © Lars Justinen at Goodsalt.com
Christ not only destroys something — the hostility between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14-15) — He creates a new humanity, marked by relationships of reconciliation and peace (Ephesians 2:15-17). Such peace is not just the absence of conflict but resonates with the Hebrew concept of shalom, the experience of wholeness and well-being, both in our relationship with God (Romans 5:1) and with others.
How does Paul imagine believers participating in sharing Jesus’ message of peace? Ephesians 4:3; Ephesians 6:14-15; compare Romans 10:14-15, with Ephesians 2:17-19, Isaiah 52:7, Isaiah 57:19.
The Gospels contain examples of Jesus as a preacher of peace. In His farewell messages to the disciples, He promises them — and us — “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27, NKJV). And He concludes, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, ESV). After His resurrection, when He appears to the disciples, He repeatedly says to them, “Peace be with you” (John 20:19, John 20:21, John 20:26, ESV).
In Ephesians 2:17-18, Paul is keen to point out that Christ’s preaching of peace extended beyond the time of His earthly ministry. He has “preached peace” in the present to both “far” (Gentile believers before they were converted; ESV) and “near” (Jewish believers, ESV; compare Ephesians 2:11-13). Having accepted this proclamation, all believers experience a profound blessing.
| How can we learn to be preachers of peace as opposed to conduits of conflict? To what situations, right now, can you help bring healing? |
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During the second world war my father served as a medic in the Pacific mainly in the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Although he was a medic, because of his background he was usually assigned to building activities, building field hospitals to care for the wounded soldiers, who were brought in from the battle field. He saw quite a few wounded brought it and not all of them were allies. Wounded Japanese soldiers were brought in as well. In Dad’s unit there was no difference between allied and enemy wounded. They needed help and they received it. Soldiers were treated on a needs basis, not on which side they were conscripted to fight on.
In the middle of the battle, the field hospital provided a haven of peace where both friend and foe were treated alike. The “them and us” notion was put aside with the aim of saving lives.
Jesus showed us the way to break down walls. His self-sacrificing love provided an example of how we should treat the enemy. One of the hardest lessons of all that we have to learn is that we win the enemy, not by showing them that we have better arguments or more knowledge than they do, but by showing self-sacrificing love towards them.
By this shall all men know …
Isaiah 52:7 "How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news,
Who proclaims peace,
Who brings glad tidings of good things,
Who proclaims salvation,
Who says to Zion,
“Your God reigns!”"
We have to use our beautiful feet,let us reach all with this message that Christ can help us to have peace.As you bring about peace,you will be blessed as per Christ's promise in Matthew 5.Let us tell the world that "Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace".Let us have the excitement which filled the shepherds in Luke 2,when they heard the angels sing "Peace on Earth",they did not just sit,they were impacted by what they heard.Ordinary people like you and me can spread this message about peace in various ways.
Real peace is by the power of Christ in us, we do what is right. When we do what is right in the eyes of God, we have peace. Yes, joy comes in the morning. In our darkest hour we know dawn is just in sight. The peace that is gifted us by doing not just hearing is what carries us through trials and tribulations. What garners(or brings together) a genuine peace that passes all understanding? A relationship with Christ.
And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:17-18
Although we all may seem pretty cult, sometimes we can display attitudes of intolerance. Because facing different ideas from what we genuinely believe is a challenge. Perhaps at this point, we should ask, "How would Jesus react?". May we receive enough knowledge to deal with disagreements and strive for unity in Love because the most important thing is to recognize that God's Love for me is the same as for my neighbor, whether we agree with each other or not.
One way to build bridges with people and have healthy relationships is by following the 10/1 principle.
10 encouraging remarks/1 rebuke
One veteran describes it as 10 “slaps on the back”/1 “kick in the pants”
That’s how we can bring peace to our homes, church, and community.
Philippians 4:6, 7
“Jesus, preacher of peace” – where does peace come from - how does one establish it - why is it so important? Yes, ‘Christ personifies peace', but how does He do that? How does His 'cross' create it? What is it about Jesus Christ that promotes peace? I hold that the answer to all these questions is His meekness.
How can the believer share Jesus Christ’s message of peace if he/she does not understand the peace which is experienced when being in Christ? Human beings are a competitive lot, always striving to get the most – the best – be the first, etc., always taking advantage of any weakness by the other person to gain an advantage for themselves; always at odds with each other.
But peace in this world and in all the created universes is not optional, peace is essential to all life because it represents the original state of Creation.
Matt. 5, the ‘Sermon on the Mount’, contains Jesus’ teachings essential to the believer’s life. For me, the ‘Beatitudes’, represent the most concise examples depicting the spiritual changes affecting the heart and mind through the Holy Spirit. We express the 'Salt and Light' of God’s Wisdom and Grace when living these truths.
Is not the spiritual salvation of man the work of the Creator for the purpose to redeem us to Himself, to call us to be the children of His family? But we cannot be redeemed if we continue to hate each other, or are indifferent to one another’s needs.
Accepting Christ's Peace transforms our most inner being. Our old nature of hate an strife will give way to the new nature of loving God and ones neighbor. To be at 'peace' with God and each other is the only state acceptable to honor and glorify our Creator.