Inspired by the Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland in 1998, U2 wrote a song called “Peace on Earth”. The song challenged the very premise of its title. In the bombing’s aftermath, Bono, the Irish-native and lead singer confessed, “the whole ‘peace on earth, goodwill to all men’ struck a sour note. It was hard to be a believer that Christmas.” The song was subsequently sung at tributes following the United States’ 9/11 attacks.
U2’s song begins, “Heaven on earth, we need it now; I’m sick of all of this hanging around; Sick of sorrow, sick of the pain; I’m sick of hearing again and again that there’s gonna be peace on earth.” It repeats the refrain, “Jesus, can you take the time, to throw a drowning man a line? Peace on earth.”
How Scripture answers "Did Jesus bring peace on earth?"
Jesus did not bring peace on earth1 in terms of man’s relationship to man3 (e.g. wars, strife, etc.). Rather, the peace on earth was about man’s relationship to God4,5,8. A “way of peace”2 is what was foretold6,7 and what was preached5,8,9. The ushering in of a spiritual peace on earth was His mission9. It is true that if all mankind adopted this “Way” there could be peace on earth right now, but unfortunately, sin is ever-present. The great news is that Jesus has already “thrown a drowning man a line” by coming1, showing us the path2, and dying on the cross4,5 to shed His blood for the forgiveness of sin.
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