Tuesday
Ephesians 2:13-18

In this Ephesians passage, we see the word “peace” used three times: “He himself is our peace,” “thus establishing peace,” and “he came and preached peace.” Peace is a person—it is Jesus. And he is in the act of establishing peace and making peace in our world to this day.

The definition of peace is wholeness, not merely the absence of conflict. Jesus is peace, and he’s all about making relationships whole in our broken world. If two armies lay down their weapons and stop fighting each other, is that peace? We call it peace, but that’s not God’s definition. Is it peace when a husband and wife decide not to get a divorce but stay together for the children even though there’s no affection or intimacy, just coldness and tolerance? Not by God’s definition. Is it peace when two friends agree to disagree and to be civil but never seek out time with one another anymore? That’s not God’s peace.

God’s peace is literally bringing oneness and harmony to relationships. Ephesians tells us Jesus is peace, and in order for our relationships to be restored, we must be connected to him. He breaks down dividing walls and can allow for things to be made whole that seemed so fractured. He is the one who puts to death the enmity and makes way for peace. Do you have conflict with anyone (someone in your home, neighborhood, church, work, school)? What does peace look like in those situations?