Advent Day 27: Ephesians 2:14-22

Read & Journal

Read Ephesians 2:14-22. Ask yourself:

• What do these verses teach you about Jesus, His character and His purpose?

• Examine this passage for references to peace. How would you define, explain or describe the kind of peace Jesus established?

• Where sin created hostility—between you and God and between you and others—Jesus established peace through His sacrifice. What does this mean for your relationship with God?

• Where are you facing hostility in your relationships with others? How can you let Jesus be your peace in those situations or circumstances today?

Ponder

This week, as we’ve prepared to celebrate Jesus’ birth tomorrow, we’ve examined the various accounts of His birth and what it means for us through the lens of peace.

In Luke 2, the news of Jesus’ birth brought great joy and peace because in Jesus, true hope, peace, righteousness and salvation had come into the world.

Matthew’s account of Jesus’ birth reminded us that we can experience peace because God has come near to us in Jesus. We are not alone—and we are invited into an intimate relationship with God in which we are fully seen and known.

In John, we celebrated the incarnation, the truth that Jesus “made his home among us” so that we could know God. Jesus wasn’t just a symbol of God’s presence among us; He was God, fully present. Where sin had created separation between us and the Father, Jesus brings us back together. We can come near to the holy, righteous, just Father because Jesus has come near to us.

In Philippians, we examined the full implications of what Jesus did by becoming like us and laying down His life for us. He is more than worthy of our praise and honor, and by glorifying Him, we give glory to the Father.

And today, in Ephesians, we recognize that Jesus alone is our peace. If the biblical definition of peace is about wholeness and completeness, we only truly find that in Jesus. True peace isn’t an outward calm or the lack of chaos or strife.

True peace is a person: Jesus.

The truth is, sin separated us from God. Our sin makes it impossible for our holy, righteous Father to draw near to us, but Jesus, in the flesh, brings restoration. He tears down the wall of hostility that separates us from God and others. He alone makes a way for all people to become children of God. When we were far away, He came near. When our hatred and strife created broken relationships between us, He made us into one family. Salvation, restoration, true and lasting peace is for all people—and it can only ultimately be found in Jesus.

He is our peace.

He is our light.

He is our hope, our healer, our Redeemer, our Savior.

Rejoice, you who walk in great darkness, your light has come.