The Gospel of Peace

“Peace be with you.” (John 20:19 NKJV)

The Lord Jesus Christ offers peace to His disciples three times in a single passage (John 20:19-26). Before His death and resurrection, Jesus promised them peace, not the fleeting peace offered by the world—a shallow peace from easy circumstances—but a solid peace that only comes through Him. It is the peace that flows from reconciliation with God (John 14:27). When He appears to His disciples after His resurrection, Jesus greets them with words of peace. “Peace be with you.… (vv. 19, 21, 26 NKJV)!”

Through Jesus Christ we have peace with God. This is the gift of all gifts. And only when we appreciate the doom of war with God can we appreciate the glory of peace with God. Peace with God tastes far sweeter after we taste the bitterness of enmity with God. We were enemies of God (Romans 5:10). We were alienated and enemies of God (Colossians 1:21). But God sent His Son into the world to die in our place to pay for our sin and to dress us in righteousness before God. Jesus reconciles us to God. He moves the climate of our relationship from hostility to peace.

This is why we have peace with one another. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we are at peace with one another because we are at peace with Him. Jesus brings us near to God and Jesus brings us near to one another through His death and resurrection.

Now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace. (Ephesians 2:13–15 NKJV)

Because Jesus makes peace in our relationships, we should live at peace. We should not live in anxiety and stress. Nor should we live in conflict and strife. Since we have peace with God we should be at rest. Since we have peace with one another, we should live in harmony.

1. Take time to reflect upon the peace you enjoy with Him through Jesus Christ. Value it over anything this world could ever offer. Praise God for it.
2. Learn to live at peace with God by keeping His Word, denying the flesh, and delighting in His promises.
3. Respond to His peace by living at peace with other Christians. Offer them your peace. Avoid quarrels. Cease petty arguments. Speak and act in a manner that promotes peace in your relationships with other Christians.