As we talk about peace, it is important to be clear on what that word means when we find it in a scriptural context. Our definition of peace doesn't always line up with what the Bible means. As is often the case when it comes to our understanding of the things of God, there’s a disconnect; not because we've aimed too high and hoped for too much, but instead it's because our vision of peace is far too small. Our understanding of peace is essentially a negative meaning. We define peace by what's absent. We just think of peace as a lack of conflict. It's not unlike the way our language fails to capture the meaning of another important biblical concept, the concept of love. Peace is inextricably tied to the presence and the person of Jesus.
Peace in the Bible
What does peace mean when we see it used in the Bible? Will we find the biblical understanding of peace in the Old Testament word shalom? Instead of being defined by what's not there, by a lack of something, shalom is defined by all it contains, and it contains multitudes. Shalom points to this richness and fullness of life that ultimately flows out of a right relationship with God. Shalom experience is multidimensional, complete well-being, physical, psychological, social, and spiritual. It flows from all of one's relationships being put right with God within oneself and with others.
When Jesus said He came to give us abundant life, he was talking about a life of shalom. Frederick Becker's definition of shalom is this: shalom simply means having everything you need to be completely and happily yourself.
It's the awareness that all is well because everything is in its right place. But of course, the more we recognize that is the meaning of peace, the more a disconnect becomes abundantly clear. I look at the world around me and at times I look inside my own soul, and I am profoundly aware that all is not right. Shalom is not prevailing. That's not simply a current-day phenomenon, because that was just as true when Jesus was born 2000 years ago.
When Jesus said He came to give us abundant life, he was talking about a life of shalom. Frederick Becker's definition of shalom is this: shalom simply means having everything you need to be completely and happily yourself.
It's the awareness that all is well because everything is in its right place. But of course, the more we recognize that is the meaning of peace, the more a disconnect becomes abundantly clear. I look at the world around me and at times I look inside my own soul, and I am profoundly aware that all is not right. Shalom is not prevailing. That's not simply a current-day phenomenon, because that was just as true when Jesus was born 2000 years ago.
Life in Jesus' Time
For example, if you lived at the time of Jesus' birth, your average life expectancy would have been about 30 to 40 years. Certainly, some people lived longer than that, but that average is so low because a considerable portion of the population died in infancy and childhood. If you survived childhood, your life would have been shaped by the brutal oppression of Rome, as well as the corruption of a puppet king that they had installed named Herod. As a result, you would have lived the entirety of your life under crushing taxation.
On top of it all, if you were among God's chosen people, you also lived with the knowledge that God had been silent for roughly 400 years. Jesus' birth was a time of chaos and conflict and crisis. People needed peace.
On top of it all, if you were among God's chosen people, you also lived with the knowledge that God had been silent for roughly 400 years. Jesus' birth was a time of chaos and conflict and crisis. People needed peace.
The Peace of Christ
The problem comes when we believe an obstacle-free life is necessary to have peace. Jesus came to bring a different kind of peace. Jesus came to bring Shalom. Although in the Christmas season we are rightly focused on Jesus' birth, I right now want to fast forward to the night before his crucifixion. We can see Jesus' strategy for dealing with these things that present as obstacles to peace. In the Gospel of John 16, we see that Jesus is with His disciples. He has washed their feet. They've shared the Last Supper, and Jesus has been teaching them these beautiful and profound truths about the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. But Jesus also knows that these men he loves dearly are about to face tremendous chaos and conflict in crisis. So he has also been sharing some hard things for them to hear.
Jesus has predicted Peter's denial. He has told the disciples that he's soon going to go away to a place where they can't come. In Chapter 16:32 he says, “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my father is with me. And 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.” (paraphrased)
Jesus has predicted Peter's denial. He has told the disciples that he's soon going to go away to a place where they can't come. In Chapter 16:32 he says, “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my father is with me. And 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.” (paraphrased)
Receive Shalom
Jesus is telling his disciples, do not be anxious about anything. With that reality in mind, how can we put ourselves in a position to receive this transcendent peace, this shalom that will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus? The first response we can have is to draw near to the God who is near. That's hard, especially in December. December is a crazy month because all of the usual chaos and conflict and crisis that swirls around in our lives the other 11 months is still there, but it's just heightened with an increase in crowds and traffic and extra tasks to accomplish. Any relational weirdness or any relational strife that you feel is dialed up to 11 during the month of December. There's additional financial strain. Amid all this, we are bombarded with the constant message that this is the most wonderful time of the year. So our unrealistic expectations are at their zenith, just waiting to be disappointed.
But in the midst of all of that, God is near. He is with us in the hustle and the hurry. We risk missing him if we don't intentionally, mindfully draw near to him. It means creating space to meet him in silence and stillness. It means expressing gratitude for all He’s done and is doing in our lives.
But in the midst of all of that, God is near. He is with us in the hustle and the hurry. We risk missing him if we don't intentionally, mindfully draw near to him. It means creating space to meet him in silence and stillness. It means expressing gratitude for all He’s done and is doing in our lives.
Next Steps
Take time this week to practice gratitude. Give thanks to Jesus for bringing shalom to your life amidst the chaos happening around us in the world.