Peace
When the angel announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds in Luke 2:8-14, we are told that a multitude of angels appeared and praised God, singing ““Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” The word ‘peace’ is an interesting one in the Bible. In the original Greek language, it referred to a feeling of well-being and prosperity. In the Bible, though, it often referred to a lack of strife or conflict. When it is used in connection with God and men, it refers to a condition of being free from conflict. In other words, we have an objective state of peace with God that is established through the death and resurrection of Christ.
We tend to think of peace in terms of conflict today. The USSR gave a bronze statue to the UN in 1959 called “Let Us Beat Swords Into Ploughshares”- a reference to Isaiah 2. While the word ‘peace’ isn’t used, the statue envisions peace existing between nations through cooperation. Reality hasn’t lived up to this vision, as we see war today in Ukraine and Israel, and tensions elsewhere.
But when the angels proclaimed “Peace on earth,” they weren’t proclaiming an end to warfare between nations. Sadly warfare is a result of sinful men inhabiting earth. As individual men have conflicts, so do collections or group of men. As men gather into nations, each with their own agenda, conflict can erupt.
This happens among individuals as well, as conflict and controversies arise between individuals as a result of sin. The book of James says “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.” (James 4.1-2). In other words, sin causes conflict. This results in a lack of peace.
Sin resulted also in a lack of peace with God, because it created enmity between mankind and God. This means that man fell into a hostile state with God, and now instead of seeing God as a loving God, mankind sees God as an angry, wrathful God. Christ though established an objective state of peace between God and man by sacrificing Himself on the cross. His death removed the wall of hostility that existed between man and God as a result of sin. This is what the angels were proclaiming to the shepherds those many years ago.
This lack of hostility with God can transform our relationships with others as well. The peace of God can transform us, turning us into people who now seek peace with others instead of delighting in hostility. The Holy Spirit works to sanctify us, leading us to live lives that are filled with joy and peace toward God and others.
In Christ,
Rev. David L. Putz, Pastor
Holy Cross Lutheran Church (LCMS)
Crawfordsville, Indiana
Good things are happening at Holy Cross! Praise God for that. When we keep Word and Sacrament ministry at the heart of what we do, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is sown. As we share the Word, God gives the growth and we rejoice as humble stewards of the God who changes lives and hearts. Help us always, Lord, to keep Your Word at the center of our life together under your Holy Cross!
Please continue to pray for our congregation and each other. Don’t forget to visit our church website www.holycross-crawfordsville.org to find links for all our services on YouTube.