2026 Lent Devotions
Wednesday, March 4
Romans 5:1-11
1 Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 9 Much more surely, therefore, since we have now been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
“… 1 Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ …”
Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. In the midst of a world gone crazy with war, violence, and destruction, to recognize Jesus’ power and presence to instill peace seems archaic. After all, world affairs demand standing armies, massed weapons, and the ability to make war because that’s the only way to maintain security for the people. Peace through power seems to be the underlying assumption.
Jesus’ peace is something else. The peace that Jesus offers comes through reconciliation with God and with others. As Paul points out in this passage, that often requires sacrifice. Jesus dies that we might be reconciled with God. Rather than the weapons of war, Jesus acts out of love – love for us and all creation. His willingness to die on our behalf is what brings peace.
Perhaps that’s where the nations of the world have it wrong. It’s not arms that bring peace, but sacrifice. It’s not wars that create reconciliation, but love. Jesus as the Prince of Peace shows us the way. We just don’t seem to be listening.
Prayer: Jesus, Prince of Peace, you show us the way to peace and reconciliation. Inspire me to Your peace in my life, and to advocate for Your peace in the community and the world. Amen.