Why Didn’t Jesus’ Birth Bring God’s Promised Peace on Earth? Jesus was the Heavenly Child sent to see the world. He can bring grace and peace to your heart even in this troubled world. Listen to this best Christmas song and experience a taste of this perfect peace right now, wherever you are. You can be fully forgiven.
“And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased (Luke 2:13-14).”
Peace, in this case, has the Hebrew idea of shalom, contentment and satisfaction in your life.
- Did the angels mean peace to all on the earth immediately and without fail? This didn’t happen, as expressed in this song:
And in despair I bowed my head:
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor does He sleep,
For Christ is here; His Spirit near
Brings peace on earth, good will to men.”
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, Henry W. Longfellow
- Or did they mean peace to those with whom He is already pleased? But that doesn’t make sense because God is already at peace with the ones He’s pleased with.
- Or did they mean Jesus was God’s peace offering to everyone on earth who, as a whole, are rebelling against Him? This suggestion is the most likely:
“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly….But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6, 8).”
God, knowing our helpless estate, took the initiative to provide salvation through Jesus:
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).”
If we receive God’s peace offering, His gift of His Son Jesus, then God is well pleased. Since God’s offer is to everyone on earth, everyone can receive God’s peace. And there is no other way (John 14:6).
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.
There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom (Isaiah 9:6-7).”
Seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth, Isaiah predicted that His (Jesus’) Name would be “Prince of Peace.” But the political peace, which Isaiah included in his prediction, won’t come until Jesus reigns “On the throne of David.” And this is the type of peace many people think is most important. But when Jesus walked the earth, He knew that the people He offered His Kingdom to would reject it. So, He would not establish it until His Second Advent:
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword (Matthew 10:34, see also Acts 1:6-7).”
The people God sent Jesus to at His First Advent made the mistake of thinking that Jesus was bringing in a political kingdom that would free them from Rome:
“So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone (John 6:15).”
They came to Jesus, not for spiritual bread, but for their carnal desires:
“Jesus answered them and said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. “Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal (John 6:26-27).”
God gave everyone a peace offering when the baby Jesus was born. Those who accept this offering receive shalom with God when they believe in Jesus’ Name. They will be able to overcome heartache.But these believers become the enemies of those who refuse Him. So, political peace will not come until Jesus reigns on earth, sitting on David’s throne. Then comes fullness of joy!