In 1896, Alfred Nobel established the Nobel Peace Prize.

Several days ago you read about Alfred Nobel, the inventor and developer of dynamite. Twenty-eight years after inventing that useful but destructive product, Nobel stipulated in his will that the fortune he had amassed be used to celebrate and honor achievements in Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.

Shortly before his death, Nobel made arrangements for the prizes that bear his name. He did not want to be remembered as the man who developed the most destructive weapon the world had ever seen, but as a man who loved literature and peace. The creation of these awards was Nobel’s life dream.

Although there are more than 300 peace prizes given out each year, the Nobel Peace Prize has become the most well known. It is awarded to those who “shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding of peace congresses.” Since 1901, the prize has been awarded to people such as Nelson Mendela, President Jimmy Carter, and Mother Theresa.

When it comes to true peace, however, there is only One who is worthy of receiving an award for doing the most work for all nations and all people—Jesus Christ. Because of his willingness to go to the cross and take the punishment for sins through his death, we have peace with God. Not the kind of peace that the world thinks about—the absence of war or feelings such as calmness and tranquility. The peace Jesus achieved makes us right with God. We no longer are considered God’s enemies, but his friends. Our sin no longer blocks us from a relationship with God.

That’s a prize-winning peace, don’t you think?

Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us (Romans 5:1).

To Do

Make up your own peace award and give it to someone you know who works hard to keep the peace.

Also on this day

1885—The earliest photograph of a meteor shower was made.

1910—New York’s Pennsylvania Station opened.

1940—Martial arts actor Bruce Lee was born.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.