10. Jesus' Shalom Peace

Calms Human Hearts

Not only does Jesus forgive the sins of individuals, but he also gives them the gift of peace in their hearts and lives. Jesus' peace is not just the formal Israeli greeting and farewell "shalom," a Hebrew word meaning "peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility," but the actual conferring of quiet inner peace and a blessing upon that person. "Shalom" can also mean a simple "hello" or "goodbye." In Luke 8.43-48, when a woman who has severe internal bleeding takes hold of Jesus' garment, he recognizes that power has gone out from him. We read, "And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 'Who touched me?' Jesus asked. ✞

Instant Healing

"When they all denied it, Peter said, 'Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.' But Jesus said, 'Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.' Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. She told why she had touched him and experienced instant healing in the presence of all the people. Then he said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.'" We may note here that to the phrase, "a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years," many manuscripts add, "and she had spent all she had on doctors." This woman was in a desperate state, for she was not only seriously sick but also broke. Jesus gave her peace as well as healing! ✞

Forgives Sins

Another woman in that town who led a life of sin, according to Luke 7.37-38, came while Jesus was "eating at the Pharisee's house." "So she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them, and poured perfume on them." Jesus said to her, 'I forgive your sins.' The other guests began to say among themselves, 'Who is this who even forgives sins?' Jesus said to her in Luke 7.50, 'Your faith has saved you; go in peace.'" Again Jesus conferred peace upon this woman! Healing and forgiveness were here associated with the gift of Jesus' peace. Some scholars believe that this person was Mary Magdalene, who became close to Jesus and his mother. ✞

God's Peace

Jesus Calms the Storm Jesus forgives sins and confers peace upon people because of his deity. He is the Lord over all creation. One day, when Jesus is asleep in a boat on Lake Galilee, or as some modern folk say, "taking a nap!" he awakes to the cries of the disciples and orders the wind and storms to cease. By this, Jesus is showing the superpower of the Creator God over all creation. Jesus gets up, rebukes the wind, and says to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind dies down, and it is completely calm. He says later to his disciples in Mark 4.39-41, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?' They are terrified and ask each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!'" The God of Creation speaks, and the gift of Jesus' peace comes upon the creation of that lake. ✞

Lord Over Death

Temple Mount Jerusalem Jesus Christ proves that he is Lord over death by raising the widow's son from the dead in the tiny Arab village called Nain in Galilee. Jesus can give life back to those who die. He is "Lord over death." As God, he offers resurrection to Christians who fall asleep in Christ. Mark 10.33-34 reads, " 'We are going up to Jerusalem,' he (Jesus) said, 'and God will deliver the Son of Man to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later, he will rise.'" Jesus here prophesies his persecution, death, and resurrection. Jesus takes the Twelve aside and tells them clearly what is going to happen to him. Jesus informs them of his upcoming death on the cross, even though he knows that he is, in fact, Lord over death. He has power over it, but he is willing to submit to it for his followers down the ages. ✞

Village Called Nain

Widow of Nain As the Lord over death, Jesus is seen raising the widow in the village called Nain. "Nain in Galilee" is about 9 miles south of Nazareth and today has a population of about 1,800 and is called "Nein" in Israel. We are told in Luke 7.11-13, "Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a widowed mother carried out her only son's dead body. A large crowd from the town was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her, and he said, "Don't cry." ✞

Filled with Awe

Christ on the Cross Then Jesus goes up and does something no other orthodox Jewish person would ever do. He touches the coffin bearing the dead body. We do not know that those carrying it stood still, whether out of surprise or shock at Jesus' action. Jesus then says to the dead man in Luke 7.15-16, " 'Young man, I say to you, get up!' The dead man sits up and begins to talk, and Jesus gives him back to his mother. They are all filled with awe and praise to God. 'A great prophet has appeared among us,' they say, 'God has come to help his people.'" Luke 7.17 then reports that this news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. Jesus is Lord over the living and the dead and gives a living son back to his grieving mother. ✞

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