Peace is the promise that Christ the Lord of peace gives to his people. ‘Shalom’ is the Hebrew term used to mean peace in the Old Testament. This word has different meanings like health, completeness and well being. This word is used when praying for the well being of another person (Gen. 43:27; Ex. 4:18; Jud. 19:20) and to mean when someone is in reconciliation with another (1 King 5:12). In the same way bodily well being is also said to be in ‘Shalom’ (Ps. 4:8). Peace is the gift from God, a fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22). The messianic rule is the time of peace (Is. 2:2, 4; 11:1-9; Hag. 2:7-9).Peace is a state of being stable and unwavering mental condition in the midst of adversities. Be at peace with one another (1 Thess. 5:13), If possible be at peace with all people (Rom. 12:18). Be at peace and then the God of love and peace will be with you (2 Cor. 13:11). God has called us to live in peace (1 Cor. 7:15). Be at peace with one another (Mk. 9:50). The New Testament teaches us all these things. During a time of wars, dissensions, slavery, sectarianism and political revolutions in Palestine, Jesus Christ spoke to the people as follows: “Blessed are the peace-makers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). Let us meditate through this message of peace how we could bring solutions to our conflicts.   

1. God the Prince of Peace in the Old Testament (Zech. 8:12-19)

The divine covenant that God executed as a peace treaty with the house of Israel is found in Zech. 8:12-19. The Messiah is the Prince of Peace (Is. 9:6). The messiah declares and spreads peace (Is. 52:7). He will protect us in perfect peace (Is. 26:3). In the Old Testament God declares and gives perfection to peace (Is. 26:12). The Lord makes us to dwell in peace and gives unending peace (Is. 32:18; 9:7). The Old Testament calls us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (Ps.120:6, 7; 122:6). God has spoken through the prophets that he would make a peace covenant with men (Ez. 37:26). Isaiah says that this peace covenant will be eternal (Is. 54:10). The scripture that he who trusts in the Lord will have perfect peace should be remembered at this point (Is. 26:3). The scripture says, “Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble” (Ps. 119:165).Therefore, Zachariah calls us to love truth and peace (Zech. 8:19). 

2.  Jesus the Prince of Peace (Jn. 16:16-33; Rom. 5:1-5)

“My peace I give to you”, this was the promise of Christ (Jn. 14:27). Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace should become our model (Is. 9:6; Mic. 4:1-8). Paul repeatedly assures that we have Peace with God through Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:14-17). The Peace that Jesus Christ gives is not like the peace that the world gives. What Jesus gives is eternal. It passes all understandings (Jn. 14:27; Phil. 4:6; Matt. 10:13). Jesus himself is the best example for this. The peace that gives comfortable sleep when the waves and the tempest strike against the boat! The peace experienced at the cross even in severe pain. This kind of peace has been experienced by Stephen and other martyrs. The greatest example for reconciliation is the act of peace through which Christ reconciled both the outsiders and the insiders as one and reconciled them with God (Eph. 2:14-18; Colo. 1:20). Thus, those who are separated due to many reasons should become one and experience the peace of God. The cross of Jesus Christ is the greatest example and model for reconciliation and peace.

3. The Peace that the word of God gives (Ps. 119: 161-170).

Those who love the law of the Lord have great peace (Ps. 119:165). Great is the hope and peace that the word of God gives. Blessing a person is wishing him peace. “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23). For a sinner, the enmity of the sin should be nullified to be reconciled with God. By the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, enmity is taken away and one attains peace with God (Rom. 5:1; Colo. 1:20). Our punishment for peace has been cast upon Him (Is. 53:5). Christ is our peace (Eph. 2:14). The peace of God passes all understandings (Phil. 4:7). All the faithful people should strive to dwell in peace (Rom. 14:19; 1 Cor. 14:33).