~PEACE ON EARTH~
Part One
by Gregg Bing

During the Christmas holidays, we often hear the expressions "peace on earth" and "good will toward men." Many think of this holiday season as a time of peace, but there is very little peace on earth. Politically, we see nations, races, even religions at war with one another. Economically, we see turmoil and uncertainty day after day. Even in our personal lives, many have such hectic schedules that peace and rest is only a dream for many. This is especially true during the holidays with family gatherings, school and office parties, and the madness of Christmas shopping at the malls.

When the Lord Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, some 2000 years ago, the angels announced His birth to the shep-herds. A multitude of the heavenly host praised God saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2: 14).

Jesus' birth was the coming of Israel's long awaited Messiah; the One whom God anointed to be Israel's King; the One whom Isaiah called the "Prince of peace" (Isa. 9:6); the One whose gov-ernment and peace would be unending (Isa. 9:7).

Peace on earth was certainly what God's chosen people, Israel, longed for. At the time of Jesus' birth, they had been under Gen-tile dominion for over 600 years, beginning with the Babylonians, who destroyed the city of Jerusalem and their temple, and
continuing to that present day with the cruel Romans (Luke 2:1). Israel longed to be free from Roman taxes, Roman governors, Roman soldiers, and Roman laws-they longed for peace.

When the angels announced to the shepherds the birth of Israel's Savior and Deliverer, it must have seemed that peace was about to be a reality in their lives. But the birth of Jesus did not bring peace on earth. We read in John 1:11 that, "He came unto His own, but His own did not receive Him." How could this have happened? The many Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah's coming were all fulfilled in the Lord Jesus (Micah 5:2, Isa. 7:14, etc.), and the proofs of His identity and His authority as
their King were clearly demonstrated through His teaching (Matt. 5-7) and His miracles (Matt. 8-9), yet the Jewish leaders "plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him" (Matt. 12:14).

Israel's own expectations had blinded their minds to what God's Word taught concerning. the Messiah (Christ). The problem began with Israel's leaders. They had corrupted God's Word by their traditions and interpretations of the law (Matt. 15), and when God spoke to them "in His Son" (Heb. 1:1-2), they did not hear Him (John 8:47). These men honored God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him (Matt. 15:8). They were "blind leaders of the blind" (Matt. 15:14), and so Israel rejected the One who was their peace, the Lord Jesus Christ.

When Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem, He said of them, "If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes" (Luke 19:42). The prophet Isaiah said of Israel, "The way of peace they have not known" (Isa. 59:8).

Continued 12/7

Should this Inspirational be a blessing and encourage-ment to you, why not send to a friend, coworker or, to your loved one who maybe defending the USAWord of God is so needed in our troubled world.  It is our heart at  GRACE AND THE TRUTH and mission to reach as many people as we possibly can TO SHARE with them the Word of God and all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for members of the body of Christ.  

"May God, Whose grace is irresistible and
all sufficient, be glorified!"