--"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." --[Luke 2:14] --
---Historians record that before Jesus' birth and while he was on earth there was a time of peace when there was no war in the land. However, there actually was no peace. Although there seemed to be political peace, it was in essence an oppressive peace. The people yearned for the promised Messiah. The Roman Empire had an iron grip on the nation. The people were anxiously waiting for their own king who would overthrow the evil regime, set them free, and give back their land.
It started with an angel's announcement to Mary who was from the despised area of Nazareth. Jesus was born in a lowly stable, a humble beginning that was far from noble. Yet He came to set the captives free and bring peace.
The freedom that Jesus offered was not what the people were expecting. They tried to force Him to be their earthly king, but He wanted no part of that because He wanted to reign in their hearts.
Jesus told Nicodemus that a man must be born again or he cannot see the kingdom of God, or enter into it. He cannot be our king unless we are born again. He came to free us from the bondage of sin and fill us with the peace of a Christ-filled life. [John 3:3,5,6]
Once we have repented and have confessed and forsaken our sin, then Jesus can rule in our heart and we can serve Him. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father" (Romans 8:15). Jesus gives us true peace that the world cannot offer.
