Read Micah 5:3-5a and Ephesians 2:11-18
“And he will be our peace” (Micah 5:5a)
We all long for peace. We long for wholeness, completeness, safety, and soundness. As far as I can remember, I have always longed for an end to hostility and war between siblings, parents, friends and even nations. I long for peace.
Peace was missing from the Israelites during the time of the prophet Micah because of their sin against God. They hate good and love evil (Micah 3:2a) and they “despise justice and distort all that is right” (Micah 3:9b). Therefore, Micah warned that Israel would be punished and taken into exile. Praise God that Micah also mentioned that a leader would come, sent by God who will save them from their enemies and bring peace. He Himself will be their peace (Micah 5:5a).
This leader is Jesus. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus brought peace, not just to the Israel, but also to the whole world by saving us from the principalities and forces of evil that enslaved us. He reconciled us back to God and one another. Ephesians 2:13-14 states, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” The prophet Isaiah also proclaims that Jesus is our Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and mentions in chapter 53:5b that “the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds, we are healed.”
Jesus is our peace. He has and will bring an end to all hostility and war. The peace I long for is in Christ alone. C.S Lewis notes, “God (Jesus) cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.”
DIG DEEPER:
- Where in your life do you most need to experience the peace that Christ can bring?
- Where else have you sought this peace?
- Praise Jesus right now for His work on your behalf to give you peace and reconcile you back to God and others.
written by Femi Ibitoye
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