The world doesn’t seem like a very peaceful place at the moment.
We’re seeing wars on multiple fronts, with the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. We’re coming out of a contentious political election season. And much of the southeastern United States, including my hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, continues to navigate the death and destruction brought by Hurricane Helene.
On a more personal level, many are dealing with struggles at home: divorce, family issues, sickness and disease, and financial challenges.
Peace is always elusive, but this year feels especially chaotic.
In the midst of this darkness, we turn our eyes to Christmas. During this blessed season, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, NKJV). He came to bring us peace that only He can provide—not just for today, but for eternity.
John 14:27 gives us insight into what Christ offers: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (NKJV).
What can we learn from this passage?
‘Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you’
True peace in life is extraordinarily rare. Why is that?
It’s because the world cannot produce it. You can’t buy it or earn it. There’s no factory creating more peace. The key word is give. True peace can be received only as a gift, and it comes from Jesus, with no strings attached.
‘Not as the world gives do I give to you’
The world tries to obtain peace through money, power, popularity, or philanthropy—or through vices like alcohol, drugs, or sex. None of these things, however, will bring lasting comfort. It’s only temporal and unsatisfying.
‘Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’
We live in a dark age, and it’s easy to become troubled and afraid. We worry about things we can’t control and become mired in the hopelessness of the world.
But for those of us who call upon Jesus as Savior—those who have received the true and lasting peace that He provides—we don’t need to worry about anything. We know the One who is in control, and we can lay our concerns at His feet.
The Source of Peace
The “Prince of Peace” came to Earth for a purpose. You and I are sinners. We’ve broken God’s laws and rebelled against Him. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23, NKJV). The penalty for our sin is severe. Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death” (NKJV). That’s a price we can’t afford.
Knowing this, God sent His Son, Jesus, to live a perfect life, to take our sins to the cross, to pay our sin penalty, and to conquer death and the grave. His sacrifice paved the way for us to have peace. “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us” (Romans 5:1, NLT).
How do you receive the gift of Jesus and the peace He provides? It’s simple. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (NKJV). And Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (NKJV).
My friends, surrender everything to Jesus—your past, present, and future; your sins, sorrows, hurts, bitterness—and ask Him to be the Lord of your life. Place your life and eternity in His hands, and rest in the peace that He alone gives. This year has been hard, but there’s no better time than right now—in this season of Christmas—to put your hope in Christ.
Are you ready to follow Jesus as your Savior?
Watch Christmas with Will Graham: Peace on Earth and share it with friends and family.
