PRINCE
OF PEACE
Eleventh
of twelve devotions in Advent Parallel
Bible Study series
Isaiah
9:6, Romans 5:1
Romans
5:1: “Therefore, since we have been
justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Jeremy hands shook when he turned in
the assignment before his fifth grade class dismissed for the weekend. (See Way
to Repentance devotion to see why). Jeremy completed the assignment sentence with: “North Carolina is fun because:
I can ride off-road bikes, hike mountain trails and swim in the ocean.”
“Thanks Jeremy,” Ms. Deturk said. She smiled at him.
Surprised, Jeremy smiled back. He stammered, “N,N,No problem, Ms. D. Uh, uh, I’m sorry for what I said
earlier. It was bad joke.” Their eyes met. “See you Monday, then.” He joined his best friend and classmate Brad
to leave.
“Wow! She was really nice to you.” Brad
observed. “Are you sure she heard you
say that she looks like a turkey, chin Wobblies and all?”
“Yeah, she heard me,” Jeremy
said. “She stared straight at me! She’s a cool teacher.” Jeremy noticed that his hands stopped shaking
as soon as she smiled at him. Jeremy’s
weekend was horrible until he promised Jesus that he’d never tell disgusting
jokes at another’s expense again. Then
Jeremy had peace.
That same devotion showed Apostle
Peter bragging that he’d go with Jesus to prison, and even to death…then denied
even knowing him three times that same night.
As the rooster crowed, he remembered Jesus words predicting his sin…then
Jesus turned to look at him.
Both
Jeremy and Peter knew their sins were nailed with one look.
Luke 23:67 says that Peter wept
bitterly. Repentance is sorrowful. But
Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Mark
16:6-7 says what the Angel told the women who came to Jesus’ tomb looking to
anoint His body with oil. “You are
looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen!
He is not here. See the place
where they laid Him. But go, tell His
disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told
you.’” (Emphasis mine.)
Jesus wanted Peter to have peace.
Take Home Nugget
Jesus understands sorrow. He forgave Jeremy, just as Ms. Deturk
had. He forgave Peter. Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have
peace.” Peace through Jesus is
more than a feeling; it’s a new relationship with God. Jesus calls us friends! The parallel Scripture is Isaiah 9:6:
For unto us a child is born,
To us a son is given,
And the government will be on His
shoulders.
And He will be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
J.D.
Griffith
A personal,
private lesson experience with our staff
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