Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” Luke 2:13-14, NIV

 

At the time of Jesus’ birth, there was a tremendous joy as a heavenly host could not stop themselves from expressing absolute delight. You could say it was written in the stars: peace on earth was indelibly linked to this newborn and those on whom God’s favour would, ultimately, rest.

 

That day, an age-old prophecy came true – the Prince of Peace that was prophesied about in Isaiah 9:6. "For to 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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

 

The shepherds bore witness to the coming of the Prince of Peace. How incredible that God would reveal his Son to mere shepherds watching their flocks by night. They were also witnessing the advent of the Good Shepherd who would shepherd our souls into perpetuity.

 

We have already seen how he has the peace to give to us even to this day. Shalom was also exhibited during those early hours of the morning when Jesus was found sound asleep on the boat caught in a terrifying tempest (Mark 4:35-41). Fear gripped the hearts of seasoned fishermen as the storm buffeted the boat. They certainly did not have shalom.

 

Then he said something to the waves, something incredible, “Peace, be still!” And the waves pummelling the boat subsided. At that moment, the disciples discovered who the boss of this universe is. Unperturbed, Jesus was able to calm a raging storm. Even nature submitted to him.

 

Peace is his hallmark. The Jesus that walked the dusty streets of Nazareth, Capernaum and elsewhere in Galilee entered the city of peace, as Jerusalem is also known, on a donkey signifying peace. Zechariah 9:9-10 records it as follows: "Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth."

 

Furthermore, after the resurrection, when the disciples were locked away in a room in Jerusalem, Jesus popped by in his resurrected body. The first word he uttered to them was shalom, to be exact, “Peace be unto you,” he said. (John 20:19)

 

More than just a greeting, he grants his motley, frightened crew peace. At the very beginning, he was associated with peace, during his life on earth and even after resurrection.

 

Prayer: We praise God that we are able to worship a God of peace who loves us dearly. We are so grateful that Jesus came as atonement for our sins bringing us peace with God. We are enemies no more. Hallelujah! Amen