Jesus Christ watches the world go on in its rebellion, troubles and disorder even as nations and individuals are constantly seeking peace. Thousands of years of recorded human history should convince us all that there is no human organization, administration or idea that will change this tragic trajectory towards sorrow, hostility and destruction. Yet the Bible has foretold that there will be guaranteed universal peace. How will this be achieved? How can we reconcile the present reality with a promise that seems so unattainable? We can’t, but Jesus Christ has! Divine love and wisdom have made a way.
Disobedience to God’s Word and rebellion against Him separated us from Him and the peace that God intends and every human heart desires. Understanding the great need to reconcile a world and to save mankind from sin’s deadly consequences, Jesus Christ stepped in, actually came down, to bring and provide salvation and peace to all of us, for we are helpless to achieve it ourselves. No “operating system updates” or attempted improvements to our current model will ever make us right with a holy God and fit us for heaven. A complete and full reconciliation is what we need. This is only possible by way of Jesus Christ. He has not only made a way, but is the way to be saved from judgment and to know peace – peace with God and peace with self.
While peace and salvation are offered to all by Him, every person must come unto Him to receive them. To enjoy the joys and pleasures of any delightful place, a person must first come to the door. It’s the doorway that sets the limits of all who would enter. Coming to terms and settling all accounts with Jesus Christ will make us right and fitted for heaven and His coming kingdom. Each one at peace with Jesus Christ will find peace in heaven. Heaven will receive all who first receive Jesus Christ. He says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Mat 11:28 KJV).
Peoples and nations pay great sums and lose precious lives for some limited and fragile sense of peace. We base our hopes for peace in strength, riches, power, cunning and advantage. Jesus Christ has made lasting peace, and He too has paid a great, immeasurable price for it. Yet He has made peace through suffering, poverty, humility and death. This is what we find at Calvary, where the glorious Son of God was led as a sheep to the slaughter. He selflessly offered Himself for guilty sinners and endured the punishment we deserve. We are told He endured the punishment that brings us peace. The blood of His cross is evidence of His tremendous sacrifice and death. His glorious resurrection and ascension to heaven show God is satisfied. Any who seek personal and lasting peace with God will be satisfied by Jesus Christ as well. He is the Prince of Peace. Peace and joy will be hallmarks of His kingdom, and He alone can bring that very peace now to each heart that will humbly come unto Him.
