Easter Matters!
True and Lasting Peace
We all know how fragile and fleeting ‘peace’ in this world can be. What is needed today is the same as what the world needed back when Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem – true and lasting peace.
Jesus’ Peace-Making Mission:
1. The Prince of Peace was resolutely committed to His mission (vs. 28)
- When we find ourselves unsettled, uncertain, and conflicted, remember peace is a person (cf. Isa. 9:6-7a; Eph. 2:14; 2 Thess. 3:16)
- Jesus Christ is God’s ultimate provision of peace for humanity (cf. Rom. 5:1)
- His presence in us, through the Holy Spirit, is our source of ongoing peace (cf. Rom. 14:17; Gal. 5:22)
As people who have peace with God, and enjoy the peace of God through Jesus Christ, are we resolutely committed to the mission of our Lord and Saviour? “He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Cor. 5:19b-20a). Resolutely commit to implore others on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
2. The Prince of Peace was a King on mission (vs. 29-36)
- 500 years after being prophesied, Jesus triumphantly enters Jerusalem as the promised King (Zech. 9:9)
- When we obediently follow the King, He faithfully prepares us to participate in His mission (vs. 31)
- Riding on a colt reveals His position as King and His character as servant (cf. Mt. 20:26-28)
As followers of King Jesus on mission, we need to prioritize living with the same humility, selflessness, and willingness to serve that Jesus demonstrated (cf. Php. 2:5-8). Are you obedient to God’s will even when it is difficult? Take heart as His ambassadors, the Prince of Peace is still a King on mission.
3. The King of peace is worthy of all praise and honour (vs. 36-40)
- “While we were still sinners Christ died for us” so that we can have peace with God, enjoy the peace of God, and live in peace with one another as His church (cf. Lk. 19:10; Rom. 5:8; Jn. 13:34-35)
- “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD” (cf. Ps. 150)
- Regardless of what man may try to do, the praise of God cannot be silenced (cf. Isa. 55:12; Ps. 114:4; Ps. 19:1; Ps. 148)
Luke described the crowd of disciples as, “joyfully praising God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.” Having experienced the greatest miracle of being ‘born again,’ and having been made spiritually alive in Christ, should move us to joyfully praise God in loud voices. How do others describe your praise? Are you unashamed or easily quieted?
4. The King of peace longs for everyone to know Him as their peace (vs. 41-44)
- The Lord is patient, “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (cf. 2 Pt. 3:9)
- Jesus is burdened for people to know what brings true and lasting peace (vs. 42, Jn. 14:27)
- Life void of the peace/Shalom found only in a relationship with God, through faith in Jesus Christ, is hard and ultimately leads to destruction (cf. Isa. 43:11; Mt. 7:13-14)
Do you know Jesus as your peace? Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ as the only way to be saved and have true and lasting peace? If not, turn from your sins, ask God to forgive you, and receive Jesus as your Saviour and Lord. If Jesus is your peace, do you live like He is? How are you helping others know what will bring them peace? Remember, peace is a person – Jesus! He Himself is our peace.
There is true and lasting peace in Jesus – This is why Easter Matters!
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