December 11, 2018 – Click here to listen
I have a print in my office that is a rendering of Jesus standing on the street in front of the United Nations building in New York City. It was painted by Swedish artist Harry Anderson who became famous for his dramatic, lifelike religious paintings. His placement of Christ in more contemporary settings clearly gives the message that Jesus is “here and now.” In this rendering entitled the Prince of Peace Jesus is wearing a white robe and from about his waist down His image transcends into an almost transparent look that denotes that He is in spirit form. He stands several hundred feet high and is seen looking in and tapping on a window some fifty stories high. I’ve had this rendering for many decades but still look at it intently most every morning.
One thought that occurs to me is that the United Nations has not brought peace to the world. World peace is a beautiful ideal, but one that will only be realized when Jesus returns (Revelation 21:4). Until that time, peace throughout the world will never occur. Jesus said that until the day of His coming, there will be “wars and rumors of wars” and that “nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.” There has never been a time in the history of the world that somewhere, someone wasn’t fighting with someone else. Whether it was a world war involving dozens of nations or a local skirmish involving tribes or clans, men have always been at war with one another and still are today.
According to the Bible the peacemakers will never succeed because Jesus is the only One who can and will accomplish that feat, but not in the manner that many might think. As Christians our faith remains in God and Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. Jesus will not bring the type of peace the world envisions. Indeed, some might describe it as the Mother of all wars in which non-believers will be vanquished and eternally separated from believers!
The peace Jesus will bring is peace between man and God through Him and not peace among nations, or people groups.
His peace will be brought when He returns for those whose faith remains in God and Jesus Christ. Those who oppose Him will be utterly destroyed and according to Jesus be banished to hell forever. His peace will be brought about between God and those who come to Him in repentance and not those who reject Him. Thus, our most important task is to convince others of their need for the Savior, who is the only One who can bring about peace between individuals and God through Christ.
Don’t be deceived my friends, Jesus Himself said He came not to bring peace to the world, but a sword. Jesus’ sword is a weapon which divides and severs believers from non-believers. There is a conflict between good and evil, the Christ and the antichrist, the light and the darkness, the children of God (believers) and the children of the devil (those who refuse Christ). Conflict must arise between the two groups, and unfortunately this can and does happen within a family in which some are believers and others are not. Those who reject God and the only way of salvation through Jesus will find themselves perpetually at war with God. But those who find themselves at peace with God, because of Christ’s sacrifice, are restored to a relationship of peace with God.
When Jesus looks in your window today remember the peace that He desires with you. If you want to go to war with someone, I recommend not picking your fight with Jesus. It is a war that you will lose. There is only one way to peace and it is through Christ.
John 14:6
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.