Luke 2:14 (Peace on Earth)

Luke 2:14

"Glory to God in the highest heaven,

    and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests."

On a night long ago in the first year there were shepherds watching their flocks. Unto these lowly men working an uncoveted profession, God sent His heavenly hosts to deliver this message, "Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11). After they had said this good news, the messengers praised God saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests" (Luke 2:14). The shepherds overjoyed went into Bethlehem and saw their Savior as a newborn baby lying in a feeding trough. Amazed to see that what God's messengers said was true, the shepherds went out to spread the word that their Savior, the Messiah, had come (Luke 2:17-18).

A Depiction of the Shepherds receiving
good news from the heavenly hosts

If you are a Christian, then you believe that story. Still, at times I find some of what those angels said hard to believe. I do not doubt whether the virgin conceived and gave birth to the Messiah, according to the prophets (Isaiah 7:14). What is hard for me to believe is that there is peace on earth. Well, I look around the world, and based on what I currently know about "peace", I'm hard pressed to find it on earth.

And in despair I bowed my head

There is no peace on earth I said

For hate is strong and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men

-Casting Crowns

Of course, I would be a fool if I didn't believe what those angels said long ago on the first Christmas night. I believe what they said about the Savior being born, because there is evidence to show the truth of their statement. I can't just take the evidence that what the angels said is true, and then disregard some of what they said. I can't pick and choose which things God says to believe. God cannot lie (Titus 1:2). I'd better believe everything He says.

So, what does it mean that there is "peace" on earth? Typically, people think of "peace" as a passive virtue relating to non-violence. Well, the word for "peace" in Luke 2:14 is εἰρήνη (eiréné) and it is used nearly 100 times in the New Testament, occuring in every book in the New Testament except for 1 John. Given this word's recurrence in Scripture, it would be wise to truly understand it's meaning. In verses such as Colossians 3:15, which speaks to believers, "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful," it appears to confirm that "peace" represents a passive virtue with which it is typically associated. In another verse, however, "peace" describes God who "will soon crush Satan under [believers'] feet," (Romans 16:20). Crushing someone isn't a very passive, let alone non-violent, activity. 

According to the NIV Bible Dictionary, "peace" is "a condition or sense of harmony," and in the New Testament it refers "to the condition and sense of being safe and secure." "Peace" is removing hostility and replacing it with saftey and security. With this information, peace in the Bible relates less to today's modern peaceful protesters demanding non-violence and more to today's armed officials safe guarding people with the use of force.

When Jesus said "Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called
children of God" (Matthew 5:9) to whom do you believe He was referring?

If peace is keeping people safe and secure from hostility, then from what hostility does God keep people safe? We can read the answer to that in the prophecies of Isaiah, where it is written of the Messiah, "He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed," (53:5). Isaiah continues on to write "it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause Him to suffer, and though the Lord makes His life an offering for sin, He will see His offspring and prolong His days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in His hand," (53:10-11). What all this means is that it was God's will for Jesus to come and suffer the rightful punishment all sinners face, God's holy judgement. For those in Christ, Jesus bore God's hostility towards sinners, so that those who believe in God and have been chosen by Him will be kept safe and secure from God's righteous judgement and wrath. That is what peace on earth means, that we, as believers, are safe from God's riighteous judgement.

Not everyone has this peace with God, which is why the Bible says this peace on earth is "to those on whom His favor rests." Those who have not saught favor with God, are not safe from the hostile punishment for their sins that awaits them. If we seek favor with God, He will not hide from us. He says "you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart,” (Jeremiah 29:12-13). Those who find God will be kept safe from His judgment. Goodness and love will follow them throughout their life, and when they leave this earth they will live in God's house forever (Psalm 23:6). We all deserve God's righteous wrath for our sins, but we believers have found peace with God, and He will keep us safe.

Then rang the bells more loud and deep

God is not dead, nor does He sleep

Peace on earth, Peace on earth

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail

With peace on earth, good will to men

-Casting Crowns

We have peace on earth because of one reason:
"While we were still sinners, Christ died for us," (Romans 5:8b).

Sources

• The Bible (New International Version)
• Biblehub.com: Peace
• Biblical Missiology: Old Testament Prophecies
• Casting Crowns: I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day