Ever see the bumper sticker..."Know Jesus, Know Peace...No Jesus, No Peace"?
Very clever play on words actually. Also very correct.
Generally, most people subscribe to the more across the board, generic type application of either getting "the peace that passes all understanding", or, Jesus as being described as the "Prince of Peace".
All are correct and proper, and also very true.
However, few find perhaps one of the most grandiose and exciting references to "peace" wrapped up in the story read umpteen times over the course of a long life every single Christmas.
Here it is:
Luke 2:14 - "Glory to God in the highest [heaven], and on earth peace among men with whom He is well pleased [men of goodwill, of His favor]."
To borrow a premise from a well known 1980's hamburger commercial, let me pose a question:
Where's the peace?
People want to know.
They read the gospel account where it says the angels actually made a pronouncement, a declaration of fact, that explicitly states that there would not only be peace on earth, but also good will toward men as a result of the birth of Christ. It was supposed to change everything!
So where is it? Where's this peace? Where's all this good will that's supposed to be oozing from the pores of joyful humanity and extending it to others?
There actually seems to be less peace, joy, and good will on earth than ever in the course of human history.
Has the bible been proven untrue? Is God a liar? Was Luke (a physician) under the influence of some powerful ancient psychedelics and had a drug induced false vision?
No, none of that.
The bible is quite true, and God has not lied. Luke has only recorded the story as it had been told him.
The problem lies in a mixture of sloppy hermeneutics, religious tradition, bad theology, etc., etc., etc.
Blame the King James Version if you want. It does not translate the passage correctly.
The one I posted above does. So does virtually every other properly interpreted translation.
The angels never promised peace on earth for everyone who lives on it.
They declared there would peace and good will for those whom God was pleased with.
That changes things.
Since we are talking about a "few good men", let me ask you in my best Jack Nicholson..."Are we clear?"
I hope you respond in your best Tom Cruise..."Crystal."
That's it. There is peace on earth for those who please God, which is accomplished by acknowledging and accepting His Son Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and thereby becoming born-again.
As an added result and by-product, what little actual goodwill that's floating around on this planet is largely on account of those who are pleasing to God.
The rest are locked into a bitter dog-eat-dog struggle that will eventually consume them lock, stock, and barrel, not only in the here and now, but in the here and after.
"No Jesus, No Peace...Know Jesus, Know Peace".
If you know Him, then you know exactly what I mean. If you don't know Him, you really do know what I mean, but you may not be at the place where you are ready to admit it.
Let me just interject here that Christmas is a great time to get that straightened out.
Get your mind off of Rudolph, Frosty, lights, wreaths, shopping, trees, etc., at least momentarily, but long enough to simply get to a quiet place and contemplate how not submitting to Christ is working out for you.
I hope this Christmas is your best ever!
Be blessed...
Keepin' it Real,
Pastor Kevin <><
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