Does Jesus Bring Peace or Not?

If you attend church chances are you’ve heard a Christmas message about Jesus being the “Prince of Peace” and have seen Christmas cards that say, “Peace on Earth.”

The words of the prophet Isaiah say, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). 

The angels who visited the Shepherds the day Jesus was born declared, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). 

Later on, in the moments leading up to the cross, Jesus reassures His closest followers and disciples, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). 

But maybe you’ve been confused because as you read through the book of Luke you run into the verse where Jesus says, “Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other!” (Luke 12:51)

Sounds like an obvious contradiction, until you dig deeper into the context and wider message of Jesus.  The big question is does Jesus bring peace or does He bring division? The answer is yes... to both. Jesus does bring peace but Jesus inevitably causes division too.  

Let’s take a quick look at the surrounding verses and context of Luke 12:51 to learn how they can happen at the same time. 

Luke 12:49-53, 49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! 50 I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. 51 Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! 52 From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against. 53 ‘Father will be divided against son and son against father; mother against daughter and daughter against mother; and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’”

We know from Romans 5:1; Romans 5:10 and other numerous Bible verses that Jesus brings peace between man and God through salvation. We are no longer enemies with God caused by our sin because Jesus paid the penalty for all our sins. This salvation is what sets us free from the coming wrath or judgment of God. This is also why we can be at peace in our hearts and minds. Meanwhile, this is not the same fate for all those who choose to deny their need for God’s mercy and grace in Jesus.

In our scripture focus, Jesus is discussing His mission on earth to save all those who believe in Him and is referring to the result of those who would not embrace His message. The message to believe in Him and repent would bring “fire” (Luke 3:9) or judgment and condemnation for all those who do not believe (John 3:16-21).  

In Luke 12:50 Jesus says, “I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me…” Jesus is referring to the suffering of His death on the cross. Why was Jesus welcomed as a babe but not as a teacher and minister? His message of repenting from sin and trusting in Him as God’s Son didn’t please everyone. What’s very ironic is Jesus IS peace, He teaches unity and love but would soon encounter hostility and death. Why? So that we would have peace between us and God.

Jesus wouldn’t suffer only for those who would believe in Him and follow His message…Jesus would also suffer for those who would not, for those who were causing his suffering. That is radical love. Isn’t this peaceful…to forgive and love the ones killing you on a cross? Sounds like the ones offended are the offenders and perpetrators of division.

Moving further into this scripture we see the suffering of Christ to bring peace did not guarantee peace between us and our fellow man. In fact, it would be the opposite for those families where one would follow Jesus and one family member wouldn’t. Jesus would go on to say, “From now on families will be split apart...Father will be divided against son...mother against daughter.” We can deduce that if this would happen in a family surely this could happen between us and neighbors, co-workers, and the like. 

Jesus’ coming stirred division but it wasn’t for His lack of trying to bring peace. His message to love your enemies or for Peter to put down his sword in the garden the night Jesus was betrayed was a clear message to live at peace. 

For those who accepted Jesus, His message was peaceful. For those who denied His identity as Emmanuel or the Messiah, He was a distraction, a crazy man, a radical, a fool, and simply counter to their beliefs. 

What I’ve discovered is Jesus did bring peace to my relationship with God and in my heart. I have personally experienced His peace and have even witnessed His peace propagate throughout our world as people forgive and love one another. But I also have witnessed how one’s belief in Jesus has divided families and communities.

For those who have chosen to experience the peace that comes with Jesus but also experience hostility from loved ones or friends, I pray these words from our Lord and Savior, Jesus will bring you comfort and peace: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you...Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 15:18-19; 16:33).