Unshakable Peace of Christ in a World of Constant Chaos

When I was a child, I wasn’t afraid to play in the front yard or walk down the street without adult supervision.

The library, school, department store, and movie theater were safe places to go. We weren’t concerned about bullets flying through the air, bombs exploding, or terrorists hijacking airplanes.

The world is a vastly different place today. But in truth, the world hasn’t been a safe place since Adam and Eve allowed sin to enter the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3).

God created the world and gave Adam the authority and power to administrate it (see Genesis 1:26). Because the Lord was present every day in the Garden and sin wasn’t present, it was a peaceful and beautiful place. But the peace disappeared when Adam and Eve sinned.

Since that time, the world has experienced civil wars, world wars, famine, plagues, floods, fires, holocausts, and ethnic cleansings. It just seems as if these things have gotten worse because we are closer to the end of time.

Regardless of how many laws and regulations governments put in place, or how many police officers patrol the streets, or how many organizations are formed to promote peace, the world will never have peace because of sin.

If we cannot find peace through man’s efforts, where can we find peace?

In the midst of Jerusalem, a historically contentious city ruled by Rome, Jesus Christ spoke of peace. This was a peace that no government or culture could guarantee. His promise of peace stood in stark contrast to the Pax Romana or Roman peace begun by Caesar Augustus, who ruled the Roman Empire from 30 B.C. until he died, fourteen years after the birth of Jesus.

In those days, the Roman rule offered many benefits. It established a monetary system, codified law through its vast empire, and built highways and aqueducts. In the Book of Acts, Paul boasted to the Roman commander of his Roman citizenship: “The commandant replied, I purchased this citizenship [as a capital investment] for a big price. Paul said, But I was born [Roman]!” (Acts 22:28 AMPC). The Pax Romana enabled Paul and the other disciples to spread the gospel. It was the set time for Jesus to come so that God could extend true peace to mankind.

Since many nations or groups came under Roman rule, much of the world enjoyed a pause from warfare. However, those who were conquered knew the price of Roman peace— excessive taxation, crucifixions, beatings, imprisonment, and slavery. It wasn’t true peace.

Caesar Augustus commissioned Roman sculptors to build the Ara Pacis, the Altar of Peace, to celebrate his establishment of peace. That altar still stands in Rome today, and its existence mocks the inability of man to give the world peace. This Roman ruler knew unparalleled power, wealth, and worldly peace in his lifetime. But in his death, he had no peace—no presence of God.

To bring peace back to mankind, God gave His best—Jesus.

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 AMPC).

Jesus, the Prince of peace, is our peace.

Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid (John 14:27 AMPC).