In yesterday’s Advent study, we learned that we can have ultimate peace – peace with God.

Does that mean our life will be free of conflict?

No – just look at the broken world around us.

Let’s see what Jesus had to say about peace:

[Jesus speaking] “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, English Standard Version)
[bracketed text mine]

In this passage, Jesus had just finished telling His disciples about His impending arrest, torture, death, and resurrection.

Jesus wanted His disciples (and us) to know that the source of peace is not in our external circumstances, but in Him and Him alone.

Yes, there will be trials and tribulations and injustices and evil and corruption.

Yes, it matters and is painful and we as individuals and communities and humanity bear the wounds and scars of these wrongs – physically, relationally, mentally, socially, economically, just to name a few.

Jesus was not immune to these injustices and hurts – the Gospel accounts tell of Jesus being unjustly accused, of being beaten and tortured, and ultimately put to death as an innocent man. There has been no hurt or injustice experienced by anyone that Jesus did not experience first-hand.

When Jesus first appeared to His disciples as a group, what was the first thing He said to them?

“Peace to you!” (Luke 24:36)

God is still sovereign, despite the world being in constant upheaval.

And transcendent peace is ours through Jesus Christ – this is the story of Advent.

May you experience the peace of Jesus today,
~kevin