Mary and Joseph carried Jesus, the child that was God and the long-promised Messiah. But the one who had been called Prince of Peace was now part of a story that did not inspire much peace. A massacre of children was the news in the city and a death threat to their child.
However, all throughout the story, Mary and Joseph were able to keep peace between themselves and with God. They did not questioned each other or God in despair, fear or unbelief. These feelings that can be totally valid in situations like this, are not unusually seen in other stories in the Bible.
In contrast, Joseph and Mary’s story is marked by complete peace and obedience.
The Angel spoke: “do not fear”; so Joseph didn’t fear.
The Angel spoke: “You should name him Jesus”; so Joseph named the baby Jesus.
The Angel spoke: “take the child here”; so Joseph would take the child there.
Joseph was a righteous man indeed (Matthew 1:19). In the middle of chaos, Joseph hold on to the words of the Angel, and the promise that he was holding right in his hands. Joseph was carrying the Prince of Peace and as He treasured that blessing that was given to him, he led and protected his family in peace.
That same princedom of peace that Joseph and Mary carried in the middle of what had raised around them, is available for every believer today.
During his ministry on earth, Jesus said : “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
This princedom of peace is able to go above any other authority or power that comes against it. “Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come.” (Ephesians 1:21)
Nothing can rob you of that peace if you also have Jesus.
So my friend, whatever rises around you—or against you— might be as threatening and scary as Herodes murdering power over the streets of Bethlehem, but even that could not take the peace out of Joseph and Mary’s minds and hearts, and nothing can also take peace out of you.
The peace of Jesus is not like that of this world that is conditional to a state. His peace is a whole and superior princedom that is able to operate even in spiritual realms that you may not even know, but there, He is the prince of peace over it all, guarding you and keeping you as you go through. So just as Joseph did:
Peace makes you listen.
Peace makes you obey.
Peace makes you stay when you need to stay, and it makes you leave when you need to leave.
Peace makes you do what you need to do, even as hard as it might be.
Peace allowed Joseph not to panic, not to paralyze or abort the mission he was destined for, but to escape Herodes into a safer zone until the mission could be completed.
It was all because of peace and the peace of Jesus can reign over you, whenever the task seems too heavy for you too.
