Peace is a word on the tip of our tongues nowadays. With wars raging and fear rising, I am not convinced many American’s know what peace even feels like any more. If it isn’t war it’s a pandemic or economic hardships, environmental concerns, civil unrest; the list could fill this article. We take our concept and apply it to the Bible’s use of the word peace, sometimes not fully grasping our own limited English definition. But the word peace is much more powerful than just a quiet world. The peace of God, is the result of true salvation. Discover the Shalom and its meaning in the Bible, true biblical peace.
The Prophesied Peace
Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
In Isaiah 53, he was prophesying the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. But it is interesting that Isaiah prophesied “the punishment that brought us peace.” Meaning, humanity did not have access to the peace of God until after Christ was crucified. By His sacrifice, we were granted peace with God; if we choose Him. When Isaiah said “the punishment that brought us peace,” he used the Hebrew word shalom, which has a much deeper meaning than the things we associate with “peace” today.
Peace Beyond Understanding
The primitive root in shalom is shalam, which means to be safe in mind and body. But it also means to be completed, whole, friendly, make amends, prosperous, graced, finished. So was Isaiah prophesying that the Son of God’s sacrifice would bring humanity safety, wholeness, prosperity, completeness, and make amends with God? Absolutely!
Peace Fulfilled
Do you recall the first words Jesus spoke to His disciples after His resurrection? “Peace be unto you.” The apostles were looking at the Savior, thinking He was dead, and there He stood with the wounds in His hands and feet and those are the words He spoke. In case they didn’t hear Him the first time, He repeated it, “peace be unto you.” Was Jesus simply calming a group of men who thought they were seeing a ghost? Or was He telling them that He had fulfilled the prophecy? That is the wonder of God, it can be both.
Wrap-up
Hold God’s peace close to your heart, it is your greatest comfort. If you know the gospel, tell others so they may also feel the peace of God. Live your life by His example and find more than peace; live in shalom, completeness in God.
John 20:19-21 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!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
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