Jesus came to preach peace
“And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.” Ephesians 2:17
Jesus came to earth, born as we were. But why?
When we read the story of Israel, it’s a bit of a rollercoaster. They are made many and blessed, they are enslaved in Egypt; they are freed, they wander in a wilderness; they get to the Promised Land, they follow the sinful ways of other nations; they get a worthy king, they are split in two and eventually go into exile in Babylon and Assyria; they get to go back home, they are placed under Roman rule.
It’s quite a history! But the one thing that remains true despite everything is that Israel knew that God was in control. Even if it was one of the worst times, they knew in the end God could save them.
Because he already had. Over and over again. And they knew what kept separating them from him was their sin.
It’s the story of the Gentiles, every other nation who didn’t follow God. The cycle was the same but there was no hope and no peace.
We were separated from God. And that’s why he came.
When Jesus came, it brought the stories to right. Whether we kept trying and failing to stay true to God or whether we were permanently stuck as strangers to the promise of God, we were finally able to rest from our struggles and find peace.
It’s no surprise that the only way we could have peace is from God. Jesus himself is our peace (Ephesians 2:14), bringing those who were far away and those who were near to God. We are made one, with the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts (Colossians 3:15). It’s a peace that goes way beyond our comprehension— we couldn’t fully understand it if we tried (Philippians 4:7).
But now we know that no matter what happens on the outside, as the true chosen people of God– those in Christ– we are at peace. Because we know that we have a hope that lasts into eternity.
It wouldn’t have been possible without Jesus stepping in– to our story as a people and our lives individually. But he did.
Jesus came.
