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            The Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write regarding Jesus, “And came and preached peace to you…” (Ephesians 2:17). The context of these words related to the fact that the gospel was not an exclusive message, but was a message of hope for all people, including the Gentile brethren in Ephesus. One aspect of the peace referred to was between the Gentiles and that Jews, that in a worldly context continues to this day. It was Jesus who came to preach and preach peace in a world filled with hatred, strife, and wars. How does all of this relate to Jesus?
            Matthew begins relating the history of Jesus’ ministry on earth by writing, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’” (Matthew 4:17). The inspired words of Matthew say that Jesus “began to preach”. Jesus was the Son of God, God with us (Matthew 1:21-23), and he was a preacher. There were times when Jesus talked one on one with people providing instruction or teaching, such as with the woman at the well (John 4) and there were times when Jesus preached to the multitudes. Not only did Jesus preach, but he sent the twelve apostles out to preach also. The Holy Spirit inspired Mark to write, “And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach” (Mark 3:14). Preaching was the work of Jesus and the apostles in order that people might know that “the kingdom of heaven is (was) at hand”.  Matthew also wrote “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom…” (Matthew 4:23). That gospel of the kingdom was the message of peace.
            Hundreds of years before Jesus left heaven and came to the earth it was prophesied that he would be the “Prince of peace”. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Might God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus is the Prince of Peace by the very nature of his kingdom, the church. Isaiah prophesied of the Lord’s kingdom writing that “all nations shall flow unto it” (Isaiah 2:2). When the gospel was first preached in the first century the Jews still could not comprehend that they plan of God was for the salvation, the inclusion, and peach for all men in the kingdom of God. Jesus taught and preached “Seek first you first the kingdom of God…” (Matthew 6:33).
            Years later Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus that was made up of Jews and Gentiles, that in the past culturally, religiously, socially, and in every other way had between them “the middle wall of partition” (Ephesians 2:14), but explaining to them that there was now peace in Jesus because “he is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14), “And came and preached peace…” (Ephesians 2:17). The practical application of the peace is that every Christian of every nation, social or educational level, language, culture, or opinion is one in Christ and can live in peace in spite of human differences. Paul would conclude that we are “fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household (family) of God” (Ephesians 2:19), the church.