Verse of the Day 12/22
Ephesians 2:17-18New International Version
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Today's verses are not usually associated with Christmas, but reading them today, especially the first words "He came and preached peace" immediately brought me to the angels declaration at Jesus birth of 'Peace on earth, good will to men." Jesus is also referred to in Isaiah as the Prince of Peace. Peace is one of the key things that we want during this and any season of our lives, and it is stopping and recalling the story and Jesus teaching, believing and accepting them, applying what He preached that may bring us peace.
Christmas is all about Jesus coming and "moving into the neighborhood". (John 1:14 The Message). He bridged that gap and with His death and resurrection removed the curtain, the veil that had stood between us and God.
The Greek word for preached in verse 17 literally means "to bring or announce good news". The angels did this and Jesus did this in His life and the Holy Spirit continues to "preach" it to us today. The world may seem to be in turmoil around us, but God's message runs strong and clear, "The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men."
I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
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."
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."
Blessings,
Mike
Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace. NIV
New International Version
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
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