THE CURRENT REIGN OF JESUS

" For He must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet." 
(1 Corinthians 15:25)

Devotion 19 of  25

PREACHING PEACE
     Jesus "made peace through the blood of his cross," by that deed reconciling "all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven" (Col 1:20). This peace is glorious! It has removed any obstacles between God and man, thereby enabling the estranged to return to the "Shepherd and Bishop of their souls" (1 Pet 2:25)

     However, it is not enough for the peace simply to be made, it must be proclaimed to the ones who have been reconciled. King Jesus does this, subduing the "prince of the power of the air" who seeks to thwart the experience of that peace. Following His exploitation of the powers of darkness, Jesus "came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh" (Eph 2:17). This was an exercise of His authority--authority to "give eternal life" to all those given to Him by the Father. 

       A number of things are involved in Jesus coming and preaching peace to them who are afar off, and those who were near. He did not do this when He spent forty days with His disciples following His resurrection. After He died, the world, those who were afar off, never again saw the Lord (John 14:19). The "Gospel of peace" had to be given to faithful messengers who would declare it to "every creature" (Mk 16:16; 2 Cor 5:18-21). The Holy Spirit would persuade men of their need of this peace by convincing them of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11). Jesus Himself would accompany those who carried this Gospel (Matt 28:20). 

       Although the Gospel announced this peace, and men preach it, the Ephesian text declares that Jesus "came and preached peace" to those who were afar (the Gentiles), and to those who were near (the Jews). This is involved in Jesus being exalted that He might "fill all things" (Eph 4:10). When the Gospel is heard, it is to be considered as the Lord Himself speaking. In reality, that is what it is. Thus Paul said to the Thessalonians, "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe" (1 Thess 2:13). It is also related to the word being "the sword of the Spirit," who gives it is power (Eph 6:17).
      
     To open the door of faith means to bring the truth within the reach of men. More is involved than words simply falling upon the ears of men. This involves thwarting the powers of darkness who would hide that truth from them. The suppression of despair and the intimidation of God's presence is involved in opening the door of faith. The will is fortified, and the beauty of the Lord is perceived. All of this is of the Lord, from Whom we have "obtained like precious faith" (2 Pet 1:1). The door of faith is opened when it is "given" to us "to believe" (Phil 1:29), and faith comes to us with love upon the wings of grace (1 Tim 1:14). It takes "all power in heaven and earth" for this to be accomplished, and that resides with the Lord Jesus Christ!

       The Lord Jesus "came and preached peace" to us. He did it through appointed means -- the preaching of the Gospel by godly men, and the working of the Spirit who has access to the hearts of men. He even has power to orchestrate the circumstances to allow for men to hear the Gospel, as He did with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:29) and the people in Macedonia (Acts 16:9). After all of the means have been considered, we must acknowledge the truth of the matter. It is that "Jesus came and preached peace." No person is put at a disadvantage for believing that precise word, given by the inspiration of God.

PRAYER POINT: In the name of Jesus, I thank You for an active Savior who is still involved in the proclamation of the peace that He Himself made.

-- Tomorrow: AS HER SOUL WAS DEPARTING --