Download PALM SUNDAY THE PRINCE OF OUR PEACE – Luke 19:37

PALM SUNDAY
THE PRINCE OF OUR PEACE – Luke 19:37-42
What are the “things” that make for your peace. Duke University did a study on "peace of
mind." Factors found to contribute greatly to emotional and mental stability are: 1) The absence of
suspicion and resentment. Nursing a grudge was a major factor in unhappiness. 2) Not living in the
past. An unwholesome preoccupation with old mistakes and failures leads to depression. 3) Not
wasting time and energy fighting conditions you cannot change. Cooperate with life, instead of trying
to run away from it. 4) Force yourself to stay involved with the living world. Resist the temptation to
withdraw and become reclusive during periods of emotional stress. 5) Refuse to indulge in self-pity
when life hands you a raw deal. Accept the fact that nobody gets through life without some sorrow
and misfortune. 6) Cultivate the old-fashioned virtues – love, humor, compassion and loyalty. 7) Do
not expect too much of yourself. When there is too wide a gap between self-expectation and your
ability to meet the goals you have set, feelings of inadequacy are inevitable. 8) Find something bigger
than yourself to believe in. Self-centered, egotistical people score lowest in any test for measuring
happiness.
Rarely, if ever, do we have all of these “8 factors” in line; life often throws us “curve
balls,” circumstances change, etc. “Peace” is the “allusive carrot” of mankind. Everyone
seeks it whether in a neighborhood bar, cannabis club, vacation, etc.; it is the “primal
longing” of every human soul. Many have tried to define “peace,” on their terms, in an
effort to attain it. The rock and roll legend, Jimi Hendrix, said it could be found in
an “absence of love for power;” “When the power of love overcomes the love of power the
world will know peace.” Jimi Hendrix (Wikipedia). But intoxication and an overdose of
barbiturates claimed his life in 1970. He never attained the peace he longed for.
Buddha said we could find peace “within;” “Peace comes from within. Do not seek it
without.” Buddha But, according to various biographical sources, Buddah died
around the age of 80 from either food poisoning or a bowel obstruction. You
could say he found no peace, “within.” (Got Questions.org). John Lennon, of Beatles
fame, “imagined” peace; a line from his popular song “Imagine” goes, “Imagine
all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope
But Mark David Chapman
ended Lennon’s quest for peace, assassinating him on December 8, 1980.
someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one.” John Lennon
The peace, however, that Christ entered the city of Jerusalem with, nearly twothousand years ago, is not based upon circumstances, personal “internal
strength,” or an active “imagination”; it is eternal, transformative, and free.
Jesus wept, because even His own people missed the foundation of their peace, while
living in the very city God designated as a reminder to them of this fact. JERUSALEM
comes from two words: Jeru (yeru) - "the foundation" – shalem (Salem) - "of peace."
(Fausset's Bible Dictionary; Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia). But still they failed to recognize the author of
that foundation, clearly revealed through the prophetic word of God!
Today people continue to walk in the same willful ignorance. Daily we breathe in
oxygen and travel about the earth, refusing to recognize the creator of it! (Romans 1:20-21)
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that
are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew
God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish
hearts were darkened. This
“foolish darkness,” which scripture calls “sin,” has
separated mankind from God, and has placed us under “judgment!” But Christ
entered Jerusalem, on that Palm Sunday, to end the enmity, “hostility,” between
God and mankind!
(Ephesians 2:14-18) 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. And He came and
preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by
one Spirit to the Father.
This is peace, not according to “religion,” the “law,” which condemns us – because, all
are guilty, because all have sinned (Romans 3:23), and “fallen short” of God’s holy
standard! But Jesus came bearing “good news;” (Romans 5:1) Therefore, having been justified by
faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. What is justification? It is the declared purpose of
God to regard and treat those sinners who believe in Jesus Christ as if they had not sinned, on the ground of the
merits of the Savior. It is not mere pardon. Pardon is a free forgiveness of past offenses. It has reference to those
sins as forgiven and blotted out. Justification has respect to the law, and to God's future dealings with the sinner.
It is an act by which God determines to treat him hereafter as righteous--as if he had not sinned. The basis for this
is the merit of the Lord Jesus Christ, merit that we can plead as if it were our own. He has taken our place and died
in our stead; He has met the descending stroke of justice, which would have fallen on our own heads if He had not
interposed. Albert Barnes. Christ’s
justifying life and sacrificial work on the cross sets us
forever in a place of everlasting righteousness before God! There are five “healing
attributes” associated with this divine “peace.” 1. Peace of a quiet conscience. A restless
conscience has robbed many of true peace. (Romans 8:1a, 33-34) There is therefore now no condemnation to
those who are in Christ Jesus. Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who
condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also
makes intercession for us. 2. Peace of a restful mind. Mental turmoil has robbed many of true peace.
(Philippians 4:7) “…and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds
through Christ Jesus.”
3. Peace of a surrendered will. A state of rebellion has robbed many of true peace. (Matthew 10:39) He
who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. 4. Peace of a hopeful heart.
Hopelessness has robbed many of true peace. (Psalm 27:13-14) I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That
I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall
strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord! 5. Peace of loving fellowship. (Romans 8:38-39) For I am
persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to
come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which
is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
This “peace” can only be found in the absence of “judgement,” through faith in Christ.
The American missionary Charles H. Brent once wrote: “Peace comes when there is no cloud
between us and God. Peace is the consequence of forgiveness. God’s removal of that which obscures His face and so breaks
union with Him.” Charles H. Brent
It is an everlasting peace, an inheritance which will never “fade
away!” A recent report dated March 15, 2016 stated: Having driven the last Christian out of Mosul ISIS has
released a chilling video showing a bonfire consuming a huge pile of Bibles. However, what they fail to realize is
that no bonfire can silence the voice of God, nor rob God’s church, of His “peace!” (Fox News). (1 Peter 1:4-5) “…to an
inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the
power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” The “peace” God grants us through faith
in Christ cannot be “burned out,” “shouted out” or “worn out,” because it is kept by the power of God! Martin
Luther once said: “I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all; But whatever I have placed in God’s
hands, that I still possess.” Martin Luther
CONCLUSION: What “makes” for your peace today? Performance, pleasure, popularity, profit; all of these will
“pass away!” (Mark 8:36) For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? For
certain, it will not profit him “peace!” Christ is the Prince of Our Peace! For those of us who are
believers the “key” to our peace is found in (Isaiah 26:3) You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose
mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Palm Sunday reminds us, “true peace” has come
to the earth. The question is, Have you received it?