A popular scripture quoted in songs and on Christmas cards reads, “. . . Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward all men.” The King James wording of this passage leads us to ask, “Where is the peace and goodwill toward humanity that this scripture says came the night Christ was born?” But when we look at the
original Greek text and structure of this verse, we see that it says,
“Glory to God in the highest [heaven], And on earth peace among men with whom He is well-pleased.” Lk. 2:14 AMP
The peace that Christ’s entrance into humanity brought exists within the people in whom the Lord is well pleased. Who are the people in whom He is well pleased? It is those who are in fellowship with Him.
This explains why Simeon, upon seeing the babe in the temple says,
“Now, Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to leave [this world] in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your Salvation,”– Luke 2:29-30 AMP
Simeon lived in fellowship with the Lord. He was a devout man, and the Holy Spirit was continuously upon him. The Lord had previously revealed to him that he would live to see the coming of the Christ child. Cradling the infant Jesus in his arms filled him with great peace. This child, he told the parents, will be a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel (v. 32).
The peace that Jesus brings is Himself. One of His many titles foretold b
y the Prophet Isaiah is the title, Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6).
Before His arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus told the disciples that the peace He gives is not like the peace the world gives (John 14:27). The peace Jesus gives is His indwelling presence within His followers that enables them to stand in faith when everything around them is chaotic and frightening. The Apostles and 1st century Christians were able to face death and persecution with peace because of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. The Apostle
Paul gives a description of the peace that comes from faith in Christ when he wrote,
“. . . hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; ----“. (2 Cor. 4:7-11)
In the world, Jesus said, we will have tribulation, but we, those of us who live in fellowship with Him can rejoice because He has overcome the world (John 16:33). And
because He has overcome the world, we have too because of our relationship with Him and the Father (1 John 5:4-5).
As we enter the new year, we don’t know what we will face as a nation. Will our government continue its downward spiral into the abyss? Will congress remain corrupt and dysfunctional? Will mass shootings in our schools, churches, workplace, etc. continue? Will hate continue to divide and tear our nation apart?
Whatever happens, whatever we’re confronted with, we will stand victorious because greater is He (Christ) that is in us, than he (Satan) who is in (influences) the world.