4 Passages To Peace

Jesus was teaching by the Sea of Galilee.

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!”

And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mk. 4:35-41 – ESV)

Storms are scary. In the middle of a storm, it’s really difficult to see where we’re going. As the storm builds, we get stressed out and lose control. We start saying things that we wouldn’t normally say. We start doing things we wouldn’t normally do.

The storm impacts our behaviour and then our relationships.

We can make it through the storm! We can choose to stay calm and trust in Jesus. We can choose to have faith. It may still be difficult and the storm may bring us to physical, mental and spiritual exhaustion; but in that moment, Christ will bring us peace.

Consider the following 4 passages and how they can bring us peace.

1. Consider Old Testament Prophecy

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Is. 9:6-7)

The Hebrew word for peace is “shalom”. It’s important to note that shalom carries with it an understanding of welfare, safety, tranquility and friendship. Moreover, shalom-peace also carries with it a meaning of completeness, wholeness and perfection.

Whenever the word “peace” is mentioned in Scripture, we should bring these other words into our minds, so that we can get a fuller picture of God’s intended message to the original audience and to us as Believers.

This was good news! When God led Isaiah to write this prophecy that a Prince of Peace, the Prince of Shalom would provide justice and righteousness forever; the original Jewish audience would have been in awestruck wonder.

For us, we know and have been given the understanding that the Prince of Peace came to set up a Kingdom that goes beyond our flesh and blood, and our earthly dwelling.

2. Consider Angelic Proclamation

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” (Lk. 2:10-14)

Focus on verse 14. The Old King James version reads, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Since 1611, theologians have completed a lot of work on this passage, trying to accurately translate exactly what these angels proclaimed.

This is how we reach our more current translations. Here, the NIV stating “…on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Alternately, in both the NASB and the ESV it reads, “on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Nevertheless, the original language suggests that peace is only bestowed upon or peace only comes to those whom God is pleased with or whom God’s favor rests.

What does that mean for us? Well, having a better understanding than the shepherds on that night, we understand that God’s favor can only rest on us, through the sacrifice of Jesus.

Our sin blocks God’s favor; it prevents it from resting upon us. But through Jesus, God’s favor can and will rest on humanity forever.

Though the shepherds didn’t yet have the whole story. These angels were proclaiming,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those who accept this child.” More specifically, “Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those who accept the Messiah.”

Once we give our lives to Christ, the peace of God’s favor is eternally bestowed upon us and will never be taken away.

3. Consider the Words of Jesus

“All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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.” (Jn. 14:25-27)

It is hard to be at peace when faced with fear. When Jesus tells the disciples here in John 14, “Do not be afraid,” do you think a few of them remembered that fearful day, when Jesus rebuked the storm? When he said, “Peace” and the wind and waves ceased.

Surely, they understood by this moment, that the peace that Jesus offers, is a powerful peace; able to withstand the greatest forces and powers, and fears.

The world will not bring peace. Jesus wanted the disciples to understand that, no peace that is found in the world around them, could even remotely compare to the mighty peace that He was about to release into their world.

These disciples had nothing to fear because the complete, whole and perfect shalom-peace of Jesus Christ was about to be brought to them under by the direction of their Heavenly Father and the power of Holy Spirit.

4. Consider Exhortation To the Church

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:4-7)

A peace that “transcends all understanding;” where do I sign up? Do you want to know how the disciples and the early Church overcame constant opposition and horrific persecution? This is the secret sauce right here!

“Rejoice…always…let your gentleness be evident…be anxious for nothing…with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

There are times in all our lives, when life gets tough and we get scared. The storms of life have become so powerful and so numerous, that we’re barely hanging on.

During these storms, there are no other options and no man-made ways out. Darkness has fallen and the waves are crashing in. We’re about about to drown in our own heart’s sorrow and fear.

We can rise up! We can rejoice in the midst of our storm. We can choose to show gentleness instead of bitterness. We can rebuke our fear and anxiety! We can give thanks for our struggles.

We can do all of this, knowing that these storms have brought us to our knees, and before the Prince of Peace.

And then…only then…will the peace that transcends all understanding enter into, and guard our hearts and minds. And when that peace, Christ’s peace stands on guard, we will be able to endure the storms of life.

Be encouraged church. It comes down to rejoicing, gentleness, thanksgiving and praying. This is how the disciples and the early church carried on spreading the Gospel under heavy persecution. This is how the first Christians continued the mission forward.

This is how we are here today, still celebrating the Prince of Peace. This is why we have set aside this week, for prayer and fasting. We want everyone in this church to have that transcending peace.

Think of the first communion. That night, when Jesus gathered the twelve in the upper room, they were confused and afraid. They could only see a future of uncertainty and darkness. Jesus encouraged them, “My peace I give to you…do not be afraid.”

Join the Conversation; Share Your Thoughts:

When facing the storms of life, which verse or passage provides you with the most peace?