60 years ago, President John F. Kennedy issued an executive order establishing a new agency within the Department of State called the Peace Corps. Within one week, thousands of letters poured into Washington from young Americans seeking to volunteer for the Peace Corps. Later, Kennedy signed congressional legislation making the Peace Corps permanent in order to promote world peace and friendship. There were three goals of the corps: (1) help people in interested countries meet their need for trained men and women; (2) help promote a better understanding of Americans; and (3) help promote a better understanding by people in other countries of Americans.
“Words from Above” in the Bible tell us that long before a Peace Corps being established a prophet named Isaiah predicted the appearance of an individual called the Prince of Peace. Isaiah predicted 700 years in advance that a son would be born, and that His name would be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Isaiah predicted that the increase of His government and peace would have no end, and that He would establish His kingdom with both judgment and justice forever.
The fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy came in the birth of Jesus, the Son of God, who promised in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Jesus lived during a period of time called the “Pax Romana”, which meant “Roman peace”, a much different type of peace from what Jesus promised. Pax Romana lasted about 200 years and there was peace and prosperity such as the world had never before seen.
It was a ruler named Augustus who sought to convince Romans that making peace was an acceptable way of life, since they had been at war with one power or another for 200 years. They believed that peace existed only when all their opponents had been beaten down and lost the ability to resist. Augustus persuaded the Romans they could be more prosperous without the risk of fighting wars. Pax Romana eventually failed, but the peace offered by Jesus can be permanent and everlasting as long as the recipients of His peace maintain their trust and faith in Him.
The peace that Jesus offers us is in part a peace between a lost world and a holy God. The perfect relationship which existed between God and the humans He created was destroyed when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s one single rule. The death of Jesus on the Cross restored that relationship and thereby made peace possible.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
