No Peace

No Peace

Luke 12:51, NIV

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

Setting the Scene

Besides declaring that he had come to bring fire and division to earth, Jesus also asked a provocative question: “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?” Then he answered with an unqualified no. And he was specific about the place where the lack of peace would be felt most deeply—the family.

What are we to make of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, whose birth was heralded by angels proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14, NIV), insisting he did not come to bring peace? Did Jesus contradict himself when he told the disciples, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27, NKJV)?

The apparent contradiction may be created by familiarity and distortion of Bible passages that point to Jesus as the source of peace. For example, we recall the Christmas language “peace on earth, goodwill toward men” and conclude that God was declaring unconditional concord within humanity. But the peace declared by God will come only to people “on whom his favor rests.”

The world has not been a peaceful place since the fall of humanity. It will not be a place of peace until God renews it after the final judgment. The divisions are a necessary means to set apart a group who will receive the peace only Jesus can provide—peace with God. He told his disciples that his peace has no equal, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).

Getting Personal

What surprises you about the way people divide over the subject of Christ?

In what specific ways are you experiencing the peace that can be found only in Christ?

We often seek peace from objects and relationships apart from Christ. When we do that, we are “dividing” ourselves from Jesus and experiencing the consequences—lack of peace.

Talking to God

Turn to the only true source of peace in a world where there is no lasting peace. Thank God for his peace, which is not like the peace the world has to offer.