What Does It Mean That Jesus Is Our Peace?

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. (Ephesians 2:14–16)

Today’s big question: what does it mean that Jesus is our peace?

Peace immediately follows grace in Scripture when we receive Jesus Christ as our savior (Ephesians 1:1). It is because of the grace we have in Christ that we also have peace. Usually when we think of peace, it has the idea of no war. For example, when countries are at peace, they are not at war. However, we need to be careful about thinking of this particular definition (i.e., no hostility) when we consider that Jesus is our peace in Ephesians 2:14–16.

When Scripture states that Jesus is our peace, it reminds us that we were once enemies of God (Romans 5:10), which is exactly what we see when we read on—we were at “enmity” with God. It started back in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve—along with their descendants—were separated from God because of sin.

Because of Jesus Christ’s work on the Cross, however, the enmity was put to death for believers; hence, we now have peace with God. In fact, the Greek root word for “peace” conveys union. We were separated from God, but are now unified with God in Christ who “has broken down the middle wall of separation.”

When warring countries make peace, they usually do not become the best of friends, but this example should not be used when considering what Paul is writing. Not only is there no hostility or war, we are united with God as sons of God (Ephesians 1:5; Romans 8:15–16). Being counted as a child of God is even better than friendship—let alone no hostility.

The Scripture is consistent in its message that without Christ, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), we would never have grace or peace. The next time we think of Jesus being our peace, let us think of being united with God (a full reconciliation) in Christ.

Today’s big idea: in Christ, we are united with God as sons, a full reconciliation.

What to pray: thank God for his amazing grace and peace that He has given us in Christ.