The next quality in the fruitage of the Spirit that we will consider is peace. When Jesus, as Israel’s Messiah, was born into the world the heavens split open and an angelic chorus declared,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)
The idea of a Messianic Age where peace was to prevail was not new to the Jewish nation. Throughout its history the descendents of Israel were routinely engaged in warfare. In the Old Testament “peace” is primarily the absence of war and it this kind of a peace that the Messiah was expected to deliver. After finally subduing the inhabitants of the land of Canaan there was a brief reign of peace under the kingship of Solomon; but shortly after his death civil war split the nation into two. Thereafter Israel and Judah were conquered and controlled by a succession of world governments, Assyria and Babylon, Greece, and finally the Romans. Periods of real peace were short-lived.
The Jews looked forward to a king from the line of David that would throw off the yoke of enemy rule and usher in an everlasting peace. The prophet Isaiah wrote about this coming Messiah and how he would bring peace among the nations saying,
“They will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up the sword against other nations, and they will no longer train for war.” (Isaiah 2:4) The extant of this coming age of peace would even bring peace and harmony to the animal kingdom. (Isaiah 11:7,8) Therefore, one of the titles that the Messiah carries is
“Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6)
At the time when Jesus came into this world the Jews were chaffing under the yoke of the Roman occupiers. Years before, in 165 BCE, under the leadership of the Maccabean family, the Jews pushed out the hated Hellenistic-Syrian rulers from the land and brought national liberation. Now the people hoped for a Messiah that would do the same for the Romans and would usher in a time of peace that might be enjoyed forever, thereby fulfilling the word of the prophets. As the Messiah, Jesus did come to bring peace, but it was a different kind of peace then what they had expected. In his first advent, Jesus came first, not to deliver us from enemy beast nations, but the enemy beast nature that had held humanity in bondage since mankind’s fall in Garden of Eden.
Before peace could be brought among the nations it first had to be made between individuals and God. The apostle Paul says quite emphatically regarding Jesus,
“He Himself is our Peace.” When humanity fell from grace in the Garden of Eden we became naturally estranged from God; because, our fallen flesh is an enemy of God. (Romans 8:7) Jesus abolishes this enmity by destroying his flesh and putting it to death. (Eph 2:15, 16) As followers of Christ in order to enter fully into his peace we must put to death our own flesh. (Galatians 5:24)
Through his teachings Jesus sought to bring peace between humans. During his sermon on the mount he pronounced,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) Jesus’ teachings brought freedom from natural animosity and moved toward maintaining peace between enemies. He said,
“But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on the check, off the other as well, and from the person who takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic. Give to everyone who ask you, and do not ask for your possessions back from the person who takes them away. Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you.” (Luke 6:27-31) Far from simply teaching passivity, Jesus has us counter those who come against with a positive reaction. In this way not only do we work toward peace; but, also put to death our own flesh that seeks retribution and retaliation.
Jesus lived out his teachings and engaged in positive non-violence. Even when his physical life was threatened he forbid his followers from retaliating. On the night of his arrest when his disciple Peter used a sword against one of the arresting party, Jesus rebuked him saying,
“Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place! For all who take hold of the sword will die by the sword.” (Matthew 26:52) Jesus submitted to God’s purpose that he should be crucified and through his flesh restore peace between the Father and his estranged children.
Sadly, the Jews as a whole did not welcome this cherished gift of peace and thus they rejected Jesus as a Messiah. During one of his final trips to Jerusalem he observed this.
“Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, saying, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.” (Luke 19:41,42) Though Jesus did come to bring peace into the world not everyone would accept that peace – for it would only come upon men upon who God’s favor sat. (Luke 2:14) For their rejection of Jesus, instead of peace they received a sword and had their nation and temple thoroughly conquered and destroyed by the Roman war machine.
In contrast, Jesus’ disciples proved to be such favored individuals. On the night before his arrest Jesus granted his disciples peace saying,
"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Here the Lord gifts peace, or freedom from anxiety and peaceful relations with others to those who would accept him and his cross. Whereas the Jews were continually at odds with their Gentile neighbors, in the Christian congregation both groups found a common bond of peace in Jesus. Paul says that Jesus made
“both groups into one” and brought reconciliation
“in one body to God” (Ephesians 2:14,15)
The apostle Paul likens our daily walk to a spiritual battle and he admonishes us to take up spiritual armor to protect us. He says that we should
"shod [our] feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15) In this world it is his peace that would mark our path. As followers of Jesus, we are ambassadors of him and his peace. (2 Cor 5:20) It is true that not everyone will receive our peace, just as the majority of the Jews rejected Jesus’ peace. Yet among those whom God’s favor rests peace will prevail. Even when we face difficulty and trial the spirit of the Lord can grant us the ability not to let evil prevail and seek retaliation but rather that we could put down the thoughts of the flesh. Best of all, today we enjoy the incredible peace that Jesus brought between our Heavenly Father and us. Though we were once far off from the Father we are now brought near by Jesus’ blood and we have become sons and daughters to him. (Ephesians 2:13)
