Peace in the Midst of Suffering
Tuesday, December 30th, 2003Landslides claim lives on both sides of the Pacific. 20,000 die in a 6.6-magnitude earthquake in Iran. Meat from a cow infected with mad cow disease is found in eight U.S. states. Unrest continues in the Middle East.
What are we to make of turmoil during this “season of peace”? The actual verse in the Bible that alludes to this peace says “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” This was declared by a heavenly host after an angel announced the birth of Jesus Christ to the shepherds. Peace in this context means the ending of hostility between God and man. God entered into this world in the person of Jesus Christ so that he may share in our human struggles and experiences. And ultimately, he was offered as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Those “men on whom his favor rests” are those who, having been justified by faith, “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”