Advent-Peace:Luke 2:8-14

“Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14, KJV).

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

The fourth Sunday of Advent focuses on peace. We celebrate the coming of Jesus into the world; and into our lives presently, and into His kingdom when he returns with new heavens and a new earth reserved for those whose names are written in the book of life. God sent His Son into the world to bring peace. We can agree that people desire peace, but peace seems to escape the human family in spite of the many efforts that mankind makes to have peace. In this article I want to give us insight into the reason that without Jesus there is no peace. God wanted peace on earth so He sent Jesus into the world. We will begin with our primary scripture passage Luke 2:8-14.

The gospel of Matthew and the gospel of Luke give us an account of the birth of Jesus. Luke wrote to a largely Gentile audience. He wanted the people to know that the Savior of the Jews is also the Savior of the Gentile. In God’s plan everyone is included. Since the Gentiles did not have the Law and the prophets Luke made little reference to them. Instead, Luke wrote about the work of the Holy Spirit in both of his works—the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts of the Apostles.

When I was a child our church read the King James Version of the bible. According to the KJV the angels were praising God saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Based on what I heard from the adults I thought that since Jesus had come into the world there could be peace among all people. I could not understand this because the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republic were engaged in a Cold War. This meant that the two countries were hostile towards each other, but they were not using military weapons. There was no peace in spite of the League of Nations after World War I and the organization of the United Nations after World War II had ended. In addition, there have been numerous peace treaties signed by many nations, but war continues; and there is no peace. I had to learn that my understanding of the King James Version was not exactly right. What does the scripture say to us?

In our scripture Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea because Joseph was born there and according to the decree of the Roman emperor Augustus Caesar he had to go there to be registered for the purpose of paying taxes. After Jesus was born the angel suddenly appeared to shepherds watching their flock by the night. The angel told them that a Savior was born. He is Christ the Lord. After the angel had made the announcement to the shepherds he was joined by a multitude of the angels. They were praising God. What were these angels saying and what were the implications of their praise?

One day I was reading from the New International Version of the bible. I got a different understanding of the Luke 2:14 when I read it from the New International Version of the bible. The angel and a company of the heavenly host praised God together saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Now, I was beginning to get the picture. Jesus did not come into the world so that all people could have peace. He came so that those that are favored by God would have peace among each other. Before they could have peace among them each had to first have peace with God who lives in the highest heaven. Who are these favored people and what do they have in common?

Those that have the favor of God are people that have received the grace of God. Before they received God’s favor they were no different from all the other people in the world. From God’s perspective all people are equal. God does not differentiate between people the way that people do. God does not give grace to people on the bases of their race, nationality, ethnic group, skin color, and gender, social and economic status. This was the conclusion that Peter came to when the Roman soldier and his household received Christ. “Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcomed to Him” (Acts 10: 34-35; see Romans 2:10-11, NASB). So, what does this have to do with peace?

When God created human beings they were at peace with God and among each other. Before they could have children the man and the woman broke peace with God and with each other by eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3:6). Sin separated both the man and the woman from God and from each other (See Genesis 3:11, 12, 16, 17). The man and the woman sinned when they disobeyed the commandment of God. They broke God’s law. The author of 1 John wrote, “Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4, NASB). That peace between human beings can be seen in the conflict between Cain and God and Cain’s murder of his brother Abel. In this story we see that Cain was in conflict with God. The conflict was not resolved and the conflict extended to his brother Abel (See Genesis 4:3-10).

Jesus came into the world according to the will of His Father to restore peace between God and people. Those that find favor with God would have peace among each other. How could we restore peace with God? People cannot initiate a peace settlement with God. A peace settlement had to be initiated by God. Human Beings could not wipe away their sins. Human beings had no desire to have peace with God (See Romans 3:9-20). Sin is like an addiction. You never get enough of the drug that you are addicted to. Instead of seeking peace with God, human beings are satisfied with their condition, and they look for ways to feed their addiction. This is the reason that the gospel is preached; people will know that they are sinners and God offers forgiveness of sin.

All people are guilty of sin. Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NASB). The world thought that some people have a right to peace with God and at the same time other people are eliminated from peace with God. In the bible the Jews thought that they were accepted by God and the Gentiles were forever outside the favor of God. Look around and you will see that the same attitude and way of thinking still exist in the world today. Paul disagreed with this manner of thinking. He assured the Gentiles that they too could have peace with God. They have believed the gospel. The good news that God desires that all people be saved. The law had been given to the children of Israel. However, in Christ Jesus all are forgiven of their sins, reconciled to God and now have God’s favor along with the Jews. Paul wrote, “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. “For He is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” (Ephesians 2:13-14, NASB). Christ joined the two groups together by dying on the cross. The gospel replaced the Law which separated people. Both groups have peace with God and with each other. “He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:17, NASB).

In the book of Romans Paul said that the Gentiles were lost not having the law. The Jews were lost even though they had the law. In Christ Jesus all who believe are saved by grace through faith (See Ephesians 2:8-9). Because of His sacrifice Jesus makes possible peace with God. “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). We now have peace with God and Jesus gives His peace to all that are favored by Him.

When Jesus was preparing His disciples for His return to the Father He made two significant statements about peace. “Peace I leave with you: my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid” (John 14:27, NASB). “I have said this to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage. I have conquered the world” (John 16:33, NASB). Paul wrote that the peace of God can eliminate a lot of problems that we face. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippines 4:6-7, NASB). With Christ we can have comfort within; harmony with others; and peace with God. In Christ Jesus hostilities are eliminated, and they are replaced by love between the individual person and God as well as between all people that are favored by God.