The word of God is telling us here that Jesus has given us peace. Jesus has made peace available to those who may wish to receive it. To give something means to transfer it from one party to another. Giving is a transactional act so a minimum of two parties must be involved. In this case, Jesus is the Giver. He has given it already over 2000 years ago but you have to receive it into your life as an individual for it to have an impact in your life. Only those who have come to the knowledge of Christ and have accepted Him into their lives can enjoy that peace from God. It is different from the peace of this world. In fact, in this world, peace means different things to different people. To some, peace means the absence of war, to some others; peace means the presence of justice, law and order. Others define peace as freedom from disturbance or tranquility. The whole world is searching for peace in one way or another. Some are looking for peace through blood rituals and sacrifice to idols. Some others are joining the practice of witchcraft in their search for peace and protection. Some are searching for peace and protection through the pursuit of money and power believing that will grant them peace. Some others believe that their peace and protection can only come from the United Nations peacekeeping force or security council. All these and many others are the kinds of peace that the world system gives. But the peace of Christ is spiritual, it is a spiritual reconciliation between members of a family, our Heavenly Father and His earthly children made up of men and women. This peace was brokered by Jesus Christ, The Only Begotten Son of God who was with God before the beginning of creation of the entire universe and mankind. Jesus opted to come to this world as a man and offered Himself as an atoning sacrifice for the restoration of our peace with our Heavenly Father. Romans 5:1-2 says "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
Before Jesus Christ came into this world, men had been searching for peace for a very long time. In fact, man's search for peace started from the beginning when Adam and Eve fell into sin. One of the consequences of sin was the breakdown of peace in the life of men. Peace was lacking in lives, peace was lacking in the homes, peace was lacking in the family and peace was lacking in the society at large. Peace became elusive as a consequence of sin. In Genesis 4:1-24 " Both Cain and Abel, both children of Adam were seeking for peace with God. Each one offered a sacrifice to God, Cain's sacrifice was rejected by God while that of Abel was accepted. As a result of this, Cain was angry and he ended up killing his brother. There was envy and strife between brothers which ultimately led to murder. . God warned Cain to beware of sin but Cain did not listen and ended up killing his brother. Clearly, peace was lacking in Adam's family in the beginning. That trend continued in that lineage again in Genesis 4:18-24. Lamech who was a descendant of Cain also ended up killing a man in the midst of strife. So, the lack of peace is an ancient problem that has been confronting all generations. In Genesis 8:20-22. Noah was seeking peace with God on behalf of mankind through the offering of a sacrifice. Take a look at what Noah did in that attempt at making peace with God. Also, in Genesis 22:11-18, during the time of Abraham, Abraham also attempted to make peace
with God by offering his son Isaac. This trend continued throughout the Old Testament with the Law of Moses which constantly required the slaughtering of animals, especially lambs and bulls for atonement with God. But the Law could also not secure a lasting peace for mankind. Romans 8:3 says " For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, " The blood of rams and goats could not give peace even as they were offering those animal sacrifices on annual basis. Some religions still practice it till today but peace remains elusive. Hebrews 10:11-12 says " And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God. Jesus Christ offered Himself as the perfect Lamb of God to restore peace to men once and for all. Jesus humbled Himself as the Only Begotten Son of God who was with God right from the beginning before the creation of the entire universe and mankind by coming to this earth as a Son of Man to suffer for the sins of men and die on the Cross of Calvary. Jesus fulfilled this by obeying God all the way to the Cross and this is the reason why God the Father has put Jesus Christ in charge of all creations and dominions and powers. Jesus Christ will judge this world. In John 5:19-30, Jesus tells us clearly that the Father has given Him the authority to judge this world. So, what this means for those who have accepted Him as their Saviour is that their freedom from condemnation and damnation is guaranteed already.
Do you know why the Father will not sit to judge mankind? Because the Father is a Spiritual Being. His ways are not our ways neither are His thoughts similar to our thoughts. God is far too advanced for us so if God sits in judgement over men, God may likely not see reason with us as mere men who are weak and susceptible. And we know that God is righteous and just so God is going to be fair to men in judgement. To attain this fairness is the reason why God sent His only Begotten Son who was with Him in the beginning before creation of the universe and the creation of mankind to come to this world as a man. Jesus the Son of God is also the Son of Man. So Jesus has been given the authority to execute judgement over all men since Jesus, the Son of God is also the Son of Man. Therein lies the peace that Jesus has given to those who believe in Him and obey His words. We are at peace because we now know that our Saviour who is our Redeemer is also the One Who will sit in judgement on the last day. John 5:24. If you can believe and receive that mystery into your life, you will experience peace like no other. Not like the peace of the United Nations security council, not the peace that is procured by nuclear weapons or the calmness experienced through consumption of hard drugs. Or the peace from the security of charms and blood rituals, nor the peace that some people derive from the billions of naira or dollars in their bank account. These are the kinds of peace the world gives but it is never going to last. Even with all the best that life has to offer to the wealthy and the powerful, the reality is that it does not last. All men must die one day, both the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak will die and face judgement before God. It shall all come to an end one day. And the knowledge of the vanity and futility of all these things in life does not give men peace of mind. But the peace of Christ comes from knowing Who Christ is and What He has accomplished for you by His coming to this world and dying on the Cross of Calvary to rise up from death after three days and then ascend into heaven to be with God the Father. And He has promised that those who believe in Him and obey His commandments shall also be with Him in heaven. That is the only thing that can give lasting peace. Knowing that no matter what happens in this world, our life does not end here nor in the grave is the hope we have in Christ which gives us peace. Why don't you accept Christ and receive your peace today.
PRAYERS;
1. Oh Lord, I need your peace.
2. Oh Lord, guide me with your peace.
3. You are the prince of peace, make your peace available to me throughout my life time
4. I pray to reject man’s peace.