I remember watching the 2000 movie, Miss Congeniality, and laughing as every pageant contestant gives the same answer of “world peace” when the host asks what society needs the most. When Sandra Bullock’s character is asked the same question, she says harsher punishments for parole violators and is met with awkward silence. But when she adds on, “and world peace,” the crowd erupts into applause and cheers. Clearly, in this comedy movie, this bit is played for laughs, but I think there’s a deeper truth within the joke: we know that the world needs peace.
A World Without Peace
Ultimately, it was in the Garden of Eden that peace was jeopardized on earth. As sin entered the world, peace left it. From that moment on, across every generation, conflict has taken the place of peace. Cain did not exhibit peace towards his own brother, Abel (Genesis 4:8). It was jealousy and greed that drove him to kill his younger brother, because Abel provided a more pleasing sacrifice to God. Cain chose sin instead of reconciliation. Later in Genesis, a man named Joseph seems to be favored more highly than his eleven older brothers. Out of envy and pride, Joseph’s brothers certainly didn’t make peace with him; they sold him into slavery to rid themselves of him (Genesis 37:28). Even further ahead in the Bible, a king named Saul saw himself being outperformed and outdone by the soon-to-be king David. Out of fear and hatred, Saul did not act in peace toward David, but instead committed to killing him (1 Samuel 19:1), and so on and so on throughout the stories in the Bible and all of history, even today. We can see story after story involving conflict. History textbooks are full of details about war and injustice, and every single day only adds to the number of examples. The world is in need of peace. What peace does the world need? Peace with God.
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Romans 5:10 (NIV)
We find peace with God by saying “yes” to Jesus.
Jesus is described as the Prince of Peace. At Christmas, we remember that Jesus stepped into the world to take the punishment for sin upon Himself so that we would have the chance to have a relationship with God in Heaven.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6 (NIV)
“Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love them and show Myself to them.” John 14:21 (NIV)
Jesus makes the way for us to be reconciled to God. To make peace with God. This kind of peace is much more significant than simply the absence of conflict or the opposite of anxiety. This is the peace in our hearts that comes with being rescued from sin. This is the peace in our minds that comes with knowing that the All-Powerful Creator of the universe knows us and loves us. This is the kind of peace that we can dwell in for eternity, and that can start here on earth as well.
“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 14:27 (NIV)
The World Needs Peacemakers
When you have experienced the peace of God, it is up to you to be a beacon of that peace to everyone around you. It doesn’t take long to look around and see the desperate need that this world has for peace. By sharing Jesus with the people in your life, you are sharing peace on earth.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:14-18 (NIV)
