He Himself Is Our Peace

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, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household…

Ephesians 2:13-19

On Christmas Eve 1914, during the First World War, the guns fell silent along a 30-mile stretch of the Western Front. As darkness fell, some German troops set out lanterns and sang Christmas carols. Men on the British side applauded and shouted greetings.

On Christmas Day, German, French, and British troops met in no man’s land to shake hands, share food, and exchange gifts. It was a brief respite from war that soon ended when the artillery and machine guns roared to life again.

By His death on the cross, Jesus removed the “no man’s land” between us and God. He is our peace.

In Jesus we can find lasting peace with God and harmony with each other. This is the life-changing message of Christmas!

Only in Christ can true peace be realized.

Our Daily Bread – December 24, 2014