Jesus Brings Peace

Read Isaiah 59

‘“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased”’ (Lk. 2:14, NASB).

At the end of World War II the United Nations is formed. The nations of the world hope to bring war to an end. Yet, since World War II the United States has been involved in fourteen wars. The citizens of the United States are concerned about war. The last Monday in May is celebrated as “Memorial Day.” It is the day that we honor those men and women who have died defending our country and the freedoms that we enjoy. We honor them and their families because they have given their lives to bring about and keep peace in the land. As I am writing this article it is the day after Memorial Day. I hear on the news that North Korea has launched its ninth test missile in the past year. Does this sound like a desire for peace or is this a threat of war? It seems that war between nations is everywhere. However, this article is more concerned about the lack of peace in our country.

In the United States our President Donald Trump is concerned about peace. Even while a candidate He called for a ban of people from seven Muslim countries from entering the United States. Since becoming President he has twice signed a resolution for the ban. Now, whether you and I think that the president’s fears are warranted or not, there are a lot of citizens that share the president’s concerns. The fact is this. There is a lot of violence and unrest in the United States today. There are numerous hostilities between various groups; and these include religious groups, political groups, ethnic groups and many other groups. There is no peace in the United States today. What can we do to bring peace to our land? Where is God, and what does God have to say about peace in our country? I believe that the Bible records a lot of what God says about peace. I believe that the Bible gives us the reasons that we do not have peace. I believe that in the Bible we can discover God’s way to peace. Isaiah 59 is one of many texts that give us insight into the peace problem and God’s solution for the problem.

Isaiah 59 is the words of the prophet to ancient Judah. The people are in exile having been taken away by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in 586 B.C. God is about to bring their captivity to an end. He reminds them of the things that led to their current situation. They must know so that they will not make the same mistakes again. As one reads through this chapter he or she can see that Judah’s problem in the sixth century B.C. gives us a picture of what is taking place in America today. The prophet shows us that God is aware of the problem, and He is able to save us from the problem. “Behold, the LORD’s hand is not too short That it cannot save; Nor is His ear so dull That it cannot hear” (v. 1, NASB). Where is God? God is in their mist. God knows their situation. These words call to mind Moses’ encounter with God on Mount Sinai in Exodus 3. God tells Moses that he has heard the people’s cry and he knows their sorrows. He has come down to deliver them (Ex. 3:6-10). Do we believe that God is able to save? What do we need to be saved from?

In verse two the prophet gives us the reasons for our problem. “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear” (Isa. 59:2, NASB). The prophet says that we are the problem. The society is full of wicked behaviors by wicked people. Our wicked behaviors separate us from the God that we claim to worship. Instead of repenting and turning to God, we try to do things our own way. I cannot begin to estimate the number of times that I have heard a news reporter ask the question: “What can we do to make sure that this does not happen again?” How does this question relate to the words of Solomon, the wisest man of his day? He says, “That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9, NASB). Does this statement mean that there is no hope for peace? No, Solomon discovers that human behavior and God’s righteousness does not change with time. Isaiah tells us that people are unable to come up with a lasting solution. He says, ““There is no peace for the wicked,” says the LORD’” (Isa. 48:22), because, “They do not know the way of peace” (59:8).

In verse fifteen the prophet shifts his emphasis from the ways of men to the ways of God. God acts because of what God sees. “Now the LORD saw, And it was displeasing in His sight that there was no justice. And He saw that there was no man, And was astonished that there was no one to intercede; Then His own arm brought salvation to Him, And his righteousness upheld Him” (vv. 15-16). The prophet says that God will bring peace through a Redeemer. ‘“A Redeemer will come to Zion, And to those who turn from transgression in Jacob”’ (v. 20). God will accomplish peace through His covenant that promises that His Spirit and His words will be with the people (v. 21). So who is this Redeemer?

There are many passages of scripture that tell us about God’s promised Redeemer. I want to focus on the fulfillment of that promise found in the New Testament writing of Luke in his gospel. Luke along with Matthew tells us about the birth of a baby born to a virgin named Mary. Mary conceives the baby by the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, Mary’s husband, is the baby’s legal father according to the Law. After the baby is born angels appear to shepherds and tell them about the birth of the baby. He is a Savior for all people. He is the promised Messiah, Christ the Lord (Lk. 2:10-12). The sky is filled with angels praising God and announcing peace (2:14). It is the peace that the angels announce that I want to address at this time.

The Messiah brings peace to the earth as has been foretold by the prophets. If the Messiah brings peace, why is there no peace? The answer lies within the announcement. First, the Savior brings peace between men and God. When the Adam and Eve sin in the garden, humanity becomes the enemies of God. Jesus comes to bring reconciliation between God and humanity. Paul writes, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Rom. 5:10, NASB).

This reconciliation is brought about by the grace of God. This is not readily seen in the KJV and NASB, but is easily seen in the NIV. The NIV reads, ‘“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor (grace) rest”’ (Lk. 2:14, NIV). The NASB lets us know that this peace while available to all people is not possessed by all people. Rather, this peace is limited to people that God is pleased with. Jesus brings peace by reconciling us to God through his death on the cross. Those who believe in Him are brought into a right relationship with God. Paul writes, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1, NASB).

The ones that have peace with God are able to have peace with each other. They share in His Spirit and have His words. Their focus is no longer on their own selves and their own desires brought about by the sinful nature. Jesus Christ is their Lord and they live to please Him. Since they share in this common objective they have peace with one another. Thus, In Colossians 3 Paul describes the new person who has Christ in their hearts. The new person is a member of a new community that lives in harmony and peace. Paul writes, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful” (Col. 3:15).

We can see that peace among men starts first with our peace with God. Having peace with God we have His words and His spirit in our hearts. Jesus is our Savior and Lord. Jesus brings peace to those who believe in Him.