Peace on Earth?
By: Brad Creech
Tags: Peace, Christmas, Advent, Hope, Christianity

There is something I just can’t quit thinking about this Christmas season. It’s not necessarily the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. It is what happened next.

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more. (Matthew 2:16–18, ESV)

Wait a second. Are we sure that says Bethlehem? Maybe it’s a typo. Maybe there were two cities named Bethlehem. As hard as it is to reconcile, this is the very Bethlehem where Jesus was born. And what makes this more challenging is the fact that this happened within two years of His birth. This is a far cry from the silent, peaceful nativity scene we associate with Christmas. It also seems to contradict the angels’ proclamation to the shepherds:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased. (Luke 2:14, ESV)

Peace on earth? Really? There have been a few things I have been wrestling with concerning this story. If you’re brave, I would like to invite you to join me for some brief observations.

1. Jesus brought the pain

Let’s just say it because it’s true. If Jesus had never been born in Bethlehem those children would not have been murdered. Herod committed his evil act for the sole purpose of removing the threat of this Jesus. Jesus’ presence made things complicated and messy for the inhabitants of Bethlehem. Without Him their life on earth would have been smoother.

Observation: When we are associated with Jesus, it makes things complicated in our earthly lives. The Bible does not allow us to believe Jesus’ presence in our lives gives us worldly comforts. Often, association with Him is the very reason we are experiencing pain in this world. Herod was willing to do great evil to people because of his hatred for Jesus. The world will target us in the same way.

2. It was God’s sovereign plan

This one is tough for a lot of people. We love to say, “God is in control.” But do we believe it? If God is in control, we don’t get to pick and choose what falls under that umbrella. If God is in control, He is in control of suffering as well as joy. The Scripture tells us this horrible event in Bethlehem was prophesied to happen and this was the fulfillment. If God is control, this was not a mistake. It was part of the plan. He saw it coming and warned Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. Where was the warning for all of those families in Bethlehem? Why didn’t He just stop Herod?

Observation: I wish I could tell you the answer to these questions. I can’t. I don’t know why those families had to suffer tragedy. I don’t know why you or I have had to suffer the tragedies we have suffered. What I do know is that God is truly in control. Yes, He rescued Jesus from the massacre in Bethlehem. But this was so Jesus could go on to be massacred on the cross. The Son of God would take upon Himself the greatest tragedy of them all. So even though I don’t understand all the reasons why, I am comforted. The God who controls my suffering is the very same God who suffered in my place. He can be trusted.

3. Jesus came into our darkness

This is nothing shocking, but our world is incredibly broken. Sin has ruined everything. Though they are not a Christian band, there is a song from Breaking Benjamin that really resonates with me concerning the lost world we live in. Here is the chorus line:

Stay with me. Don’t let me go; because there’s nothing left at all. Stay with me. Don’t let me go; until the ashes of Eden fall. (Breaking Benjamin, “Ashes of Eden”)

The imagery is perfect. It is like the fall of man in the garden of Eden was a massive volcanic eruption and we are all living in the aftermath, waiting on the ashes to fall. Whether Jesus was born in Bethlehem or not, tragedies would have continued to rage. It is the way of our world. Yes, Jesus’ presence brought a specific tragedy to Bethlehem, but tragedy itself was instituted by the fall. This gives us needed perspective. We can see the tragedy in Bethlehem as a reinforcement to a simple truth. Jesus came into a broken world. The Light Himself chose to dwell among us in the darkness, a place where these sorts of things take place.

Observation: The doctrine of the fall of man tells us something we don’t want to hear. The same evil that lived in Herod lived in all of us before our conversion to Christ. Given the right circumstances, you and I may have been Herod. Despite that darkness, that sin, that lived in each one of us, Jesus chose to step in. He came for you and me. He came into our brokenness and paid our debt. He offered us life eternal in exchange for His death. He brought His light into our dark and tragic hearts. Praise be to God!

4. We are going to have to rethink the way we define peace

The massacre in Bethlehem blows the typical definition of peace right out of the water. We usually think of peace as the absence of trouble. Clearly, that is not the kind of peace the angels were referring to. The tension is reflected well by the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. In the midst of the Civil War, mourning the loss of his wife and with one of his sons suffering a severe injury from the war, he wrote these words:

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!”

(“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” Longfellow)

Peace on earth is not a promise of an easy life. Peace is reconciliation with God. It offers something more profound than smooth living. It offers the promise that in the midst of all the turmoil we are right with God. This world will not last, nor will the suffering in it. The day is coming when all will be made right. Longfellow saw that day coming and, appropriately, ended his poem:

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.”

(“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” Longfellow)

Observation: During our life in this world, peace is a promise. In heaven, peace will be a complete reality. All of the evil will be judged. Those who are in Christ will be lifted up. Our peace for now consists of us looking toward that final day, confident that this darkness is just a passing shadow. Jesus did not come to make this present world peaceful (see Matthew 10:34). He came to bring peace into it; the peace of knowing we are right with God in Christ and our sadness will turn to joy (John 16:20).

Peace in 2020

This all hits home for us this year. The year 2020 has been a train wreck for the world. But hear me out. Because of the turmoil of this year we can have the best Christmas of our lives. The contrast between the Bethlehem tragedy and the eternal life to come is enough to put a desperate yearning for heaven in our bones. The contrast between this year’s madness and our future home gives us similar perspective. Just as much as we celebrate Jesus’ first coming at Christmas, we also should celebrate His second coming. And this year has given us plenty of reason to celebrate that! This is why we have peace. He came and He is coming again! And all of us who are found in Him will be eternally in His presence!

Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Until then we will find our peace in the promise of Your return.