Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Luke 2:1-15

Peace is such a central outcome of Jesus’ ministry that it was at the heart of the birth-announcement made by the “great company of the heavenly host” to the shepherds on the night of His birth. First an angel appeared in terrifying glory to declare the birth of “the Saviour, the Messiah, the Lord”, and then a vast army of angelic heavenly beings joined in the celebration:
¹⁴ ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’

Peace is the last thing we’d expect when seeing an army. Yet this heavenly army arrives to announce peace with “those on whom God’s favour rests.”

Upon whom does His favour rest? To whom does God grant this gracious gift of peace with Himself? According to John 1:12-13, God’s undeserved favour rests on all those who will receive His Son Jesus and place their faith in Him. All who will respond with faith to the angels’ good news of Jesus’ coming are receipients of God’s gracious work of peace-making.

J.C. Ryle wrote, “Now is come to earth the peace of God which passeth all understanding – the perfect peace between a holy God and sinful man, which Christ was to purchase with His own blood, – the peace which is offered freely to all mankind – the peace which, once admitted into the heart, makes men live at peace one with another, and will one day overspread the whole world.”

As Christians we understand that only God can give the deepest peace of all – the peace of heart that comes when we are restored to fellowship with God. Jesus, the Saviour, Messiah and Lord, has come to us to establish this peace. And once we have received this peace and begin to live it out, it will seep into our relationships with others, spreading the realm of His peace ever wider across the face of the earth. May it be so!

Come Lord Jesus, Prince of Peace, and establish within me the peace that passes understanding. Holy Spirit, please minister to me, help me to receive the peace that flows from God’s heart to mine, and then allow it to flow from me to all those around me. Amen.