The Source of Peace by Pastor Dave

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5: 1
 
Luke 19: 41-44; Philippians 4: 6-7
 
     On Monday we considered how we can deal with life’s challenges by standing firm in Jesus Christ. Today I’d like just to remind us why Jesus is that source of peace (and strength). If we go back a short period in time from our reading in Luke on Monday we will find today’s passage. Jesus is entering Jerusalem in a triumphant fashion but is deeply emotional, weeping over the state of the city’s population (vs. 41). His anguish is the result of the people’s failure to recognise Him as the way of peace (vs. 42); this will bring about Christ’s death and later resurrection. Jesus then foretells the destruction of the temple, which he again reiterated in Monday’s passage; this disaster occurred because they had not understood that Jesus was God incarnate in their midst (vs. 43-44).
 
     The failure of God’s people to recognise Jesus for who He is, is the failure of many today. True peace comes from having peace with God; this comes from a right relationship with God. The people of Jerusalem were in a situation of occupation, they faced persecution and trouble ahead; they could not find peace in the face of oppression. They knew of ‘shalom,’ a state of peace, harmony and wholeness through God but they did not recognise its basis in and through Jesus Christ. Christ’s subsequent death and resurrection has become for us the foundation of peace with God. He has paid our price and paved the way of peace for us to His and our Father. Romans 5: 1 reminds us that if we repent and believe in Him, in grace God justifies us and so we have peace with God. This is why Jesus is the source of our peace; a truth well worth remembering!
 
     As well as bringing us peace with God Jesus can bring the peace of God into our lives. Our verses in Philippians encourages us to pray with that same faith in the many and wonderful forms of prayer open to us. The result is that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
 
     These are truths that you may well know and believe; they are worth meditating upon to prevent familiarity reducing their power. May we all know peace with God and the peace of God in and through Jesus Christ.
 
To Ponder: How might Jesus bring peace to your life today; which form will it take?
 
Prayer: Pray through Psalm 103 as a means of praise filled prayer that will remind you of God’s blessings and enable His peace in your life
 
Praise: My Peace
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls01XGV7oA0
Peace, Be Still
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBzg4B3_yS8
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