Article by by James C. Jarrett, Water of Life Lutheran Church

Jesus himself is our peace. That is what St. Paul tells us in Ephesians 2:14. Jesus died and rose again to proclaim peace to all who feel far away from God—to bring us near to God in a relationship of peace.
There were differences between us and God caused by our sin, but Jesus has drawn us near. Jesus has brought us together again. Jesus has reconciled us to the Father. Jesus has made the peace.

That sounds great, yet how is this peace possible? Every day, we experience conflict. Political disagreements over how to deal with this bad economy or how to do something about the sorry state of healthcare. There is open warfare in Afghanistan. There is political unrest in Honduras. People are dying of hunger and disease in many parts of the world. Where is the peace?

We don’t even have to look beyond our own lives to find turmoil, do we? What about our own physical suffering? Concerns for our own health. Anxieties over how we’re going to make it through a lean economic time. Worry over troubled relationships with family or friends. Stresses at work or school. Don’t even mention the bills. Will they ever all get paid?

In the midst of all this turmoil; in the midst of anxiety, of stress, of worry, and of fear know this: Jesus Christ is our peace. He has not only made peace between us and God, he himself is our peace.
St. Augustine said to the Lord, “Our hearts are restless until they find rest in you.” Jesus said, “Come unto me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28.) Are you restless, laboring, and burdened? Come to Jesus and find rest. True peace can sometimes be hard to explain, but those who have it know it is real.

James C. Jarrett is a Deacon in the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and serves as vicar at Water of Life Lutheran Church in Forney. His e-mail address is vrjarrett@wateroflifelc.org.

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