PODCAST
No Jesus, No Peace
June 22nd, 2014
1 Timothy 2:1-15
The “No Jesus, No Peace/Know Jesus, Know Peace” bumper sticker may be an unwitting commentary on a foundational New Testament text: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
According to Thayer’s Lexicon* the Greek word translated “mediator,” in the text is a form of the Greek mesitays, [mess-EE-tace] “one who intervenes between two, in order to make or restore peace.” That is what Jesus has accomplished. He has provided an opportunity for people to be at peace with God.
Imagine it.
If that doesn’t inspire a passionate pursuit of Christ, perhaps thinking of the absence of peace with God will provide more of a jolt. What must a life (or an eternity) be like at war with God? That’s opposite of peace, isn’t it? Apart from Christ, one is out of peace with God, and that goes far beyond a passive apathy or agnosticism—implying a raging conflict with God himself.
With that as an alternative, give me Jesus.
* J. Thayer, Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Hendrickson, 1996)
Author: Brian Charette
