Advent 2: Peace

The second week of advent focuses on Jesus’ attribute of peace. Jesus was described as the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6. Peace, it’s what the world is striving for. We want peace with other countries, people within our own country, between our political parties, amongst the different Christian denominations, within our own churches, in our extended families, in our own house, and with ourselves. We search for peace in every avenue of our lives and may find it temporarily, but it never sticks.

Will the world ever have peace before Jesus’ return?

The problem is that the world is searching for peace through the wrong avenues. The world is trying to find peace through each other and other worldly ways. We think we will find peace through treaties, marches, protests, books, and counseling. While these can be very good things, they are not lasting. Troubles arise constantly in our lives that rob us of our peace.

In John 16, Jesus is telling His disciples that soon He will be gone, and they will not be able to see Him. He tells them that the day will come when they will weep and mourn because He is gone and the world will rejoice. He says that they will grieve but then their grief will turn to joy. He ends the conversation with this, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Have you ever felt like you were the only one suffering? When my husband was newly diagnosed with cancer, I stood in the middle of the produce section of my local grocery store. I had no idea what to buy for him to eat. He had just started his chemotherapy treatments and the nurses warned us of how they would make him sick. I didn’t know what he could eat or what he would want to eat. I felt helpless. I looked around the store and saw all the people around me doing their weekly shopping. To my eyes that were jaded by my own suffering, I only saw people that looked happier than me. Instead of realizing that everyone is suffering in some way, I thought I was the only one. There was so much I didn’t understand. I asked myself, “Why do they have peace and I do not?”

Jesus warns us that there will be suffering in this world. We cannot find peace in a world that is full of pain, confusion, and suffering. We may look around and think that we would have peace if our loved ones were healthy, if the person we lost were back in the world with us, if we had enough money to pay all our bills, if only we knew what tomorrow looked like, or if the person we voted for president would get the position. We are blinded by the world’s definition of peace. The dictionary defines peace as this, a state or condition conducive to, proceeding from, or characterized by tranquility. It says that tranquil is calmness, peacefulness, stillness, or serenity. When I read that I picture a spa. I love going to the spa because it is the one place that is quiet. The soothing music floods me with calmness. There are not many noises besides trickling water and soothing music. Everyone talks in hushed voices, and no one rushes around. Even though it feels strange wearing only a bathrobe in front of multiple people, I feel peace. I feel that peace until I step out of the spa and get into my car to drive home. Then somehow the peace leaves me as quickly as it came.

The peace we find in the world only muffles or hides our suffering for just a fleeting moment. The peace of the world can never replace our suffering, only Jesus can. When He came into this world, He came into a world of suffering, turmoil, fighting, and confusion. He came into this world knowing that He would be hunted His entire life and eventually killed as an innocent man. He did not come into a peaceful world, and He did not leave a peaceful world. But what He did do was leave this world with an option for His people to find peace. His people find peace in trusting in Him. Through His birth, death, resurrection, and ascension, He provided His people with the opportunity to dwell with Him, to have the Holy Spirit live in them. Our peace only is sustained through trusting that He is with us at all times. He never abandons us and leaves us to suffer alone. That day in the grocery store where I felt so helpless, I was not alone. We can take heart because He has overcome the world. He has always been in control of the world, His creation, and He always will be in control. There is nothing that can happen in this world that He has not already overcome. We can find true peace in that truth.

This is a hard concept to remember at all times. It is hard to not get swept away in worry and despair. The best way is to remind ourselves daily that there is nothing that Jesus cannot handle. In every situation, ask Him for guidance. In these same verses, John 16:16-33, Jesus tells His disciples to pray in His name. Ask for help, guidance, and peace in Jesus’ name. There you will find it.

Verses to remember:

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

“‘Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed.’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.” Isaiah 54:10

Digging Deeper:

How are you searching for peace this Christmas season?

In what ways to Jesus reveal His peace to you?How

can you show Jesus’ peace to others?