Peace: According to Ephesians, Jesus is our peace,
and Jesus came to reconcile us both to God and to each other. And the biblical idea of peace is much broader than our modern understanding; it is not simply the absence of conflict but also the presence of harmony. It’s not ceasefire; it’s community.
Sometimes, we get so caught up in seeking “peace” for ourselves that we create discord for others. Or we isolate ourselves from the problem (by moving out of the city to that peaceful cabin in the woods, for instance) so that we can pretend like it doesn’t exist or isn’t relevant to us. But conflict avoidance is not peace.
In fact, sometimes, pursuing real peace—Jesus-peace—means engaging in conflict. In my marriage, with my kids, in my ministry on campus, and at church, it’s easier and simpler to sweep tension under the rug and hope it will just dissipate on its own instead of engaging it in hopes of reconciliation and better understanding. Engaging it means breaking down the walls and facing the hostility for the sake of reconciliation, because there is no peace without reconciliation. (https://intervarsity.org/blog/fruit-spirit-peace)
(From a Chatham Community Church Devotional) The Peace candle and this week’s passage remind us of our need for God’s light, reminds us that our “native habitat” is darkness and the shadow of death. Darkness and shadows surround much of life, and darkness and shadows live within us as well. We cannot blaze the trail of peace to God. It is God who makes his way to us and for us. We cannot make our peace with God until God has made his peace for us. Jesus will be the way God makes peace.
Shalom (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם šālōm; also spelled as sholom, sholem, sholoim, shulem) is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye.
(ESV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law..
What does it mean to experience Peace, and to provide, maintain, or establish peace–from a God/Jesus perspective? What examples of peace are in the Bible and what do they tell us? Why is peace such a big deal? What keeps us from bringing peace to everyone and every encounter we have–genuine God-derived peace?
- Hebrews 7:2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.”
- John 20:19 Jesus Appears to His Disciples On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” (the risen Jesus); John 20:26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”
- 2 Corinthians 13:11 Final Greetings Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
- Ephesians 2:14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
- Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.
- 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
- Romans 5:1 Peace and Hope Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
- Matthew 10:13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
- Mark 9:50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
- Luke 1:79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
- Luke 19:42 37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b] “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” 41 As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.
- Romans 8:6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.
- Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
- Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
- Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- James 3:18
- James 2:16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?
- James 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
- Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
- Matthew 10:34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
- Mark 5:34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
- Luke 14:32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
- John 14:27 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 be afraid.
- John 16:33 “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.”
- Acts 9:31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
- Acts 10:36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.
- Acts 12:20 He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply.
- Acts 15:33 After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them.
- Romans 2:10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
- Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,
- Romans 14:19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
- Ephesians 2:15 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,
- Ephesians 6:15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
- Colossians 1:20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
- Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
- 1 Timothy 2:2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
- Titus 3:2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
- Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
- Hebrews 12:14 Warning and Encouragement Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.
- 1 Peter 1:2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
- 1 Peter 3:11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
- 2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
- 2 Peter 3:14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.