Impossible Peace by John Avant
- Donna Avant
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
It’s hard to believe that December has arrived and Christmas is upon us, which means it is the season of peace.
Now that actually sounds a little bit crazy to say. Muslim extremists are murdering followers of Jesus at will in places like Nigeria. Terrorists who have no business being in our country are murdering our National Guard soldiers in cold blood. War rages in Ukraine and tension grips much of the world.
How can this be a season of peace?
Just before Jesus died for all of us, He said these astonishing, world-shaking words:
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27
This is not a season of peace because of peace treaties or politicians. It is a season of peace because of a person who is the Prince of Peace!
Perhaps the greatest preacher of the early church, Chrysostom, said:
“The peace which comes from a human being is easily destroyed and subject to many changes, but Christ’s peace is strong, unshaken, firm, fixed, steadfast, immune to death and unending.”
And that amazing peace can be yours! Even when nothing around you is peaceful. Because peace is not a feeling or a possession to pursue. It is a person to inhabit you. When peace lives in you then circumstances no longer control you.
Perhaps that seems far-fetched to you on this first day of December. But writing only about seventy years after Jesus rose from the dead, as he prepared to lay down his life, full of peace in the face of terror, Justin Martyr said these words about the birth of Jesus:
“God announced beforehand that things which are unimaginable and believed to be impossible would take place in order that when it occurred, it would be believed and received by faith because it had been promised.“
“Unimaginable and impossible.”
That is exactly the peace that can be in your life today. It’s Christmas time! Joy to the world! The Lord has come! And with Him comes peace. For you. Right now.
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