If Jesus brought peace at Christmas, why is there still war?

If peace is available, why are so any of us missing it?
 
Isaiah promised the baby Messiah would be the prince of peace, and the angels at Bethlehem said he was bringing peace on earth.
 
So why do we still lack peace today?

Genesis’ sin brought two problems: inner brokenness with God and a broken, violent world. Jesus solves one with his first coming and will solve the second with his second coming. 
 
Jesus will bring complete peace to all the world when he comes again. Peace between all nations is likely not possible until Christ comes again to make all things right. Right now we live in “the now and the not yet.”
 
While we wait on complete restoration of all things, though, what level of peace can we experience now?
 
The biblical idea of peace is the idea of wholeness and completeness, not just the absence of war. Just before Jesus was arrested, he told his followers:
 
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… I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 14:27 and 16:33
 
The Greek word used here, eirene, carries the same connotation as the Hebrew shalom which conveys wholeness and completeness. When our hearts are awakened to believe and follow Jesus, we have the opportunity to have peace in our inner lives. (Explore the meaning of Greek eirene and Hebrew shalom here with this short Bible Project video.)
 
But in today’s climate and culture why do so many of us still struggle in this area? There are probably many reasons for this, but I would like to highlight one. 
 
We don’t know or admit our brokenness and don’t understand the true inner repair that is available through Christ.
 
The pride of thinking we have it all together prevents the true realization of receiving deep shalom from Christ. When we fully realize our own brokenness and take the time and humility to bring to Jesus the broken pieces of our lives, however, Jesus can really begin to work in us. Christ’s touch alone can weave completeness and wholeness from our broken pieces, and he can author the process of our healing.
 
While we submit in humility to his healing hand, we can be people who walk in shalom in the midst of a broken world. While we wait for him to bring complete restoration of all things, we can walk in the process of becoming truly whole.
 
If you are experiencing difficulty walking in wholeness and peace this season, turn to a trusted pastor or believing mentor who can walk you through getting back to wholeness. It’s what Jesus came for.  

Merry Christmas,
 
Ellen

Written December 20, 2023