Peace? Really!
"Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14 NKJ)
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests." (Luke 2:14 NIV)
I’ve always wondered how the angel’s declaration to the shepherds was received by individual shepherds: “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). Who were the “to you” the angel was talking about? Was it all the shepherds or just some of them who truly received the ‘good news” into their hearts? “They” seem to all tell what they had seen (2:17), and all seem to be “glorifying and praising God” (2:20). Was it all or some? The reason I ask is that verse 2:14 has always intrigued me, because of the way different versions translate it. You will definitely see that the two translations I have above communicate two different messages. The New King James speaks of goodwill being received in a general sense by people on earth, while the New International Version speaks of peace being received by a chosen few. There is a reason for this: the King James Version is translated from manuscripts that are newer than the originals, while the newer translations like the NIV are translated from older manuscripts that are closer to the original letters of the New Testament. The King James Bible was written hundreds of years ago, and since its writing, we have found copies of manuscripts of the New Testament that are closer to the time of the original. The closer it is to the original, the better the chance that it is more accurate. Did you get all that? Does it matter? You bet it does! It’s not that one translation is better than the other, it’s that one slip of the pen (changed letter) can change the meaning of a word or verb in Hebrew and Greek.
Just let the scriptures speak for themselves. If you read the Gospels, you will quickly realize that the arrival of Jesus brings everything but peace and goodwill to the earth! Do you remember the reaction of Herod (Matt. 2) and the religious leaders (John 11:53)? Do you remember the words of Jesus: “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law” (Luke 12:51-53). The arrival of Jesus to Earth has unleashed chaos, wars, and fighting on every front. There is not a lot of ‘goodwill’ towards one another! So, what the King James Version and the New King James (same but with modern language) must be really implying is there is peace and ‘good pleasure’ for those people who receive the good news of Jesus and receive Him as Savior, Messiah and King. Indeed, that is what we see all the way through Luke’s Gospel:
- Just a few verses back Zechariah’s prophecy contains this: “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:78-79 NKJ). Peace is available to those who allow themselves to be guided into the way of peace.
- Simeon had been chosen to meet Jesus personally. It was not until he held baby Jesus that we hear him say, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word” (Luke 2:29). Peace is a fruit of meeting Jesus!
- Do you remember the story of the sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet in front of all those religious people…outcome: she was forgiven of her sins and sent away with these words: “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace” (Luke 7:50)
- Do you remember the woman with the issue of blood who desperately wanted to touch Jesus to be healed? Jesus said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48)
- Jesus sent His disciples out to offer peace to whoever would receive it (Luke 10:5-6)
- In a scathing rebuke, when the Pharisees tried to rebuke the disciples of Jesus who were shouting, 'Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the LORD!' Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!", Jesus pronounces to them, that their chance for peace had been taken away, and enemy invasion was guaranteed (Luke 19:37-44)
- To His disciples after His resurrection, Jesus’ words to them are, “Peace to you!” (Luke 24:36)
Here’s the conclusion. Peace is not automatic for anyone. It’s only available to those who are declared righteous by believing in the crucified and resurrected Prince of Peace: “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). The way of peace has been made known with the revelation of Jesus to the world. But one has to choose to enter into it – Jesus is the door! “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
Grace and peace to you all!
"Advancing the Kingdom of God by releasing Spirit-filled followers to serve Jesus in freedom and joy."
Leave a Comment