The Grace and Peace of Puzzle Work

Summary

The Wake-Up Call — “The Grace and Peace of Puzzle Work”
Host: John David Walt
Release Date: May 20, 2026

---

Overview

This episode of The Wake-Up Call marks the conclusion of the podcast’s journey through the book of Ephesians, centering on Paul’s final words: “grace and peace.” Host John David Walt reflects on the rich, often-misunderstood meanings of these biblical terms and how they call believers to wholeness in faith, relationships, and community. Walt invites listeners into deeper engagement—not only with Scripture but also with the lived realities of grace and peace in their own lives and churches.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Wrapping Up Ephesians

• [00:00–02:15] Introduction and anticipation of future changes to the podcast, including Dan Wilt co-hosting on Mondays and “Taco Tuesdays.”
• “We have reached the east end of Ephesians today. We have been on a journey, haven’t we?” (J.D. Walt, 00:25)

2. Scripture Focus

• [02:15–03:40] Reading of the day’s text: Ephesians 6:23–24.
  • “Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.”
• Walt highlights that Paul’s letter ends exactly as it began: with themes of grace and peace.

3. Deeper Meanings of “Grace” and “Peace”

• [03:40–08:20] Walt explores how “grace” and “peace” can seem like spiritual platitudes but carry profound Scriptural weight:
  • Grace:
    • Not just a “blessing before a meal” or a “do-over on the golf course.”
    • For Paul: “in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins… It is by grace you have been saved.” (Citing Ephesians 1:7, 2:4-5, 2:8)
  • Peace:
    • More than “live and let live.”
    • Biblical “shalom” is restoration—“all the dislocated pieces of the shattered and scattered puzzle coming back together again into an integrated wholeness.” (J.D. Walt, 06:41)
    • Reference to Ephesians 2:14, 17: Jesus “has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility… He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.”

4. Grace and Peace as Puzzle Pieces

• [08:20–11:15]
  • The twin gifts of grace and peace create a holistic vision:
    • “Grace means restored relationship with God. Peace means restored relationship with neighbor.” (J.D. Walt, 09:56)
    • “The convergence lands us in the heart of the heart of it all, according to Jesus: the love of God and neighbor.” (J.D. Walt, 10:20)
  • Exploration of how these terms were more than greetings for early Christians, but “code words representing not sentimental filler words, but rather an entire world of meaning.”

5. A New Perspective on Justice, Grace, and Peace

• [11:15–12:40]
  • Engaging with a contemporary chant—“No justice, no peace”—Walt suggests, “Might the truth be: no grace, no peace?”
    • “Grace brought the greatest justice through the gravest injustice—the death of Jesus… Peace brought the greatest victory from the gravest loss—the resurrection of Jesus.” (J.D. Walt, 11:36)

6. The Centrality of the Cross

• [12:40–14:10]
  • The “puzzle” metaphor:
    • “We didn’t begin with the edges because there were none. We started with the center. We began with Jesus. The first piece of the puzzle is always the cross. It turns out to be the final piece.” (J.D. Walt, 13:09)
  • The cross as the perfect intersection of grace and peace, revealing God’s love as “a real live person—Jesus Christ.”

7. Practical Reflection and Challenge

• [14:10–17:39]
  • Journal prompts for listeners to reflect on:
    • “Where do you need grace in your life?”
    • “Where do you need peace in your relationships?”
    • “How has Ephesians expanded and enriched your vision of the potential and possibilities of the big ‘C’ Church?” and your local church.
  • “We gotta understand church from heaven’s side of things, not from the broken earth side of things.” (J.D. Walt, 16:46)
  • Encouragement to move beyond viewing church simply as “a broken category.”

8. Community Gratitude and Listener Engagement

• [17:39–18:12]
  • Thanks to listeners for their feedback and participation, especially regarding letters to JD’s dad.
  • Mention of ongoing survey for future episode planning.

9. Closing Worship — Gloria Patri

• [17:39–18:50]
  • “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost…” Traditional doxology sung by the host and audience.

10. Sending Forth

• [18:50–End]
  • Encouragement to let Jesus “take the wheel” as listeners go about their day.
  • “Seed of encouragement, seed of blessing, seed of grace, seed of peace — that’s what’s happening today.” (J.D. Walt, 18:56)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What do these words even mean anymore? …Grace and peace. I am aware of their enormous depth of meaning, yet they hit people today as a blurry abstraction somewhere between hugs and kisses and God bless you.” (J.D. Walt, 03:10)
• “For Paul and the people of the way, grace had a profoundly narrow and specific meaning yet with the broadest reach and application imaginable.” (J.D. Walt, 04:00)
• “Peace means all the dislocated pieces of the shattered and scattered puzzle coming back together again into an integrated wholeness.” (J.D. Walt, 06:41)
• “Could it be that the grace of God in Jesus Christ puts our shattered lives back together? And the peace of God in Jesus Christ puts our scattered relationships back together?” (J.D. Walt, 09:34)
• “No grace, no peace. Grace brought the greatest justice through the gravest injustice—the death of Jesus.” (J.D. Walt, 11:26)
• “The holy union of the grace of God and the peace of God forever wedded at the cross perfectly reveals the love of God not as an abstract ideal, but as a real live person—Jesus Christ.” (J.D. Walt, 13:19)
• “We gotta understand church from heaven’s side of things, not from the broken earth side of things.” (J.D. Walt, 16:46)
• “You’re consecrated, you’re being transformed. …He’s clearly going to put seed in your hand. Seed of encouragement, seed of blessing, seed of grace, seed of peace.” (J.D. Walt, 18:56)

---

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 00:00–02:15 — Introduction and community updates
• 02:15–03:40 — Reading Ephesians 6:23–24; initial Scripture reflection
• 03:40–08:20 — Defining “grace” and “peace” in Paul’s context
• 08:20–11:15 — Connection between grace, peace, and the love of God and neighbor
• 11:15–12:40 — Rethinking “justice” and the necessity of grace for peace
• 12:40–14:10 — The puzzle analogy: Cross as center and completion
• 14:10–17:39 — Journal prompts and practical application
• 17:39–18:50 — Community gratitude and Gloria Patri
• 18:50–end — Sending forth and closing encouragement

---

Conclusion

John David Walt’s Wake-Up Call episode powerfully reframes “grace and peace” as more than platitudes, but as transformative realities central to the Gospel and daily life. Through personal reflection, biblical depth, and heartfelt encouragement, listeners are challenged to let these truths reshape their lives, relationships, and vision for the Church.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign. Sower Nation. It is Wednesday, May 20th, in the year of our Lord 2026. I'm John David Walt and this is your wake up call. And friends, we have reached the east end of Ephesians today. We have been on a journey, haven't we? Now I'm gonna come in with a couple more days this week, of course, and we're looking forward to Dan Wilt taking the wheel on Monday, day after the day of Pentecost, which is Sunday. And I'm going to pop in with Dan every Tuesday for a little special Taco Tuesday. Chips and salsa together. Looking forward to that. But yeah, it's Wednesday today and we're going to finish strong and it's been a joy to walk these this letter with you for all these days. Now let's begin this Wednesday, the last day of Ephesians in consecration. Wake up sleeper. Rise from the dead and Christ will shine on you. Jesus, I belong to you. I lift up my heart to you. I set my mind on you. I fix my eyes on you. I offer my body to you as a living sacrifice. Jesus, we belong to you. And we're praying in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

[B]

Amen.

[A]

Well today, and if you're watching on YouTube, you see I've got my today T shirt on and I know some of you are going to write me and say, how can I get one of those T shirts and how can I get one of those hats? And I'm just. It grieves me to tell you, not yet. We're still trying to get our act together on T shirts and hats at the wake up call. But a day is coming when they will be available. So thank you for caring and asking. Today's entry is entitled the Grace and Peace of Puzzle Work. Our text, Ephesians, chapter 6, verses 23 and 24. Hear now the word of the Lord. Peace to the brothers and sisters in love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love, the Word of the Lord. Now consider this. And so it ends as it began, with salutations of grace and peace. What do these words even mean anymore? If I'm honest, I have too often seen them as the religious equivalent of so good to see you or thanks so much for coming. You know, grace and peace. I am aware of their enormous depth of meaning, yet they hit people today as a blurry abstraction somewhere between hugs and kisses and God bless you. For Paul and the early Christians I think these words served as code words representing not sentimental filler words, but rather an entire world of meaning. Today, grace can mean anything from a blessing said prior to a meal to a mulligan on the golf course. That's a do over for those of you who don't know. For Paul and the people of the way, grace had a profoundly narrow and specific meaning, yet with the broadest reach and application imaginable. Grace meant in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins in accordance with the riches of God's grace. That's Ephesians 1:7. Grace in Paul's mind meant but because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions. It is by grace you have been saved. That's Ephesians 2:4 and 5 and one more from Ephesians 2:8. For it is by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves. It is the gift of God. That's grace. How about peace? There's another word there that has come to mean everything and nothing. It mostly gets passed off as live and let live right. Make love, not war. The biblical concept of peace or shalom has to do with the restoration of all that is broken. Peace means all the dislocated pieces of the shattered and scattered puzzle coming back together again into an integrated wholeness. What did Paul have to say about peace in this letter? So here's Ephesians 2, verse 14 and 17. For he himself is our peace who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who who were near. Most of what we hear when it comes to these salutations is the way grace would have spoken to Gentiles and peace to Jews. Might there be more to it? Could it be that grace makes the way for peace? Could it be that the grace of God in Jesus Christ puts our shattered lives back together? Together. And the peace of God in Jesus Christ puts our scattered relationships back together. Grace means restored relationship with God. Peace means restored relationship with neighbor. This convergence lands us in the heart of the heart of it all, according to Jesus, the love of God and neighbor. That's Matthew 22:36 to 40. Now note the little phrase Paul tucked into his closing words and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Are you tracking? There's a chant rising to prominence in our conflicted society these days. No justice, no peace. The louder it gets, the further we seem to get from either might the truth be. No grace, no peace. Grace brought the greatest justice through the gravest injustice, the death of Jesus. Peace brought the greatest victory from the gravest loss, the resurrection of Jesus. Remember how we started putting this puzzle together? We didn't begin with the edges because there were none. We started with the center. We began with Jesus. The first piece of the puzzle is always the cross. It turns out to be the final piece. This holy union of the grace of God and the peace of God forever wedded at the cross perfectly reveals the love of God not as an abstract ideal, but as a real live person. Jesus Christ, son of God and son of man. Here's Ephesians 1 again. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. Wow. As it ends, so must it begin again. It's time to get back to the puzzle of our lives and churches and families and friends and how awesome is that? Let's pray. Abba. Father, how we thank you for your son Jesus, who is your grace and your peace come together as the glorious fire of your love. Thank you for making us alive together in him. Thank you for putting our lives and relationships back together. Thank you for your church. Awaken us to the glory of it all for the sake of the world you love in Jesus name and let everybody say I hear you. Amen and amen. We did it. We did it. Here's our journal prompts today. What is on your highlight reel for Ephesians? What are the. Where are the. The flashpoints? Where are the sort of places where you had an epiphany? You finally saw something you've been looking at, but you saw it in a deeper way. I wonder. What are some big takeaways from this last six weeks together in this letter? Here's. Let's press in a little more personal. Where do you need grace in your life? Okay, Asking Jesus, asking. Where do you need peace in your relationships? I just want you to write these down. Where do you need grace in your life? Where do you need peace in your relationships? A lot of times, guys, we're just. We're moving so fast, we're not in touch with the answer to those two questions. And that's why we're carrying pain and discord in a sense that, like, we're just trying to get through the day. Sometimes we just need to slow down and answer those Two questions. Where do I need grace in my life? Where do I need peace in my relationships? And then the last question. How has Ephesians expanded and enriched your vision of the potential and possibilities of the big C church? And then how about your, the same question. How has it expanded and enriched your vision for the potential and possibilities of your little circumstances? Local church. Love to understand what you're thinking there. A lot of times, guys, we got church in a kind of a broken category. We got to get it out of that category. We, we, we gotta, we gotta understand church from the, from heaven's side of things and not from the broken earth side of things, which is oftentimes church is just an organization that's not working. We just try to fix it from that side. What we need is a vision from heaven's side. And that's what Paul's trying to give us in Ephesians. So I'm going to come back tomorrow and the next day and the day after that, and I'm going to. I'm not sure exactly what I'm going to do with it yet, but I'm probably going to pick up some, some of the big themes of Ephesians and just give a little bit further thoughts and closing reflections. Appreciate all of you who've given us, you know, your feedback to our little survey. I'm gonna put that in there again today. Please click on that link. It'll take you two, three minutes. But you're giving us your votes on what to do with Sundays. You're telling us what happened in the Ephesians. Study in your soul, in your inmost being, are telling us what it was, how you experienced the workbook. We need this feedback, really, we really do. And, and one more thing I'll say before we're going to sing. Dad's not here with me today. But my gosh, so many of you responded to the invitation to write a card to dad and he just. It's blowing his mind. Okay. I cannot even express to you. I'll have him back here soon, next couple of days and he'll tell you himself. But it's absolutely blowing his mind and mine too. So I want you to hear my heartfelt gratitude for, for that love that was love and man. Thank you. I think maybe we're going to close out with a good old fashioned classic Gloria Pottery. Glory to the Father. I love that. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. You ready? Deep breath. We'll put the number of the hymn. It's in the hymnal. If you need it. I don't have it right in front of me. I know this one by heart, and I'm sure you do, too. But if you need it, it's in the hymnal. Gloria Pottery.

[B]

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be World without end. Amen. Amen.

[A]

One more time. Let's take it up a key.

[B]

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be World without end. Amen. Amen.

[A]

Amen. All right, gang, it's Wednesday. Gather your seeds. Jesus is ready to take the wheel. You're consecrated, you're being transformed. And now Jesus wants to demonstrate the gospel of the kingdom of heaven on earth as it is in heaven through your life, on your fields. He's ready to take the wheel. This pressure's off. You're in the passenger seat. He might ask you to help him out with some directions. He's clearly going to put seed in your hand. Seed of encouragement, seed of blessing, seed of grace, seed of peace. Yeah, that's what's happening today. That's what's on tap for Wednesday in the Sower Nation. And, guys, it's going to make a difference. Can't wait to hear the stories of it. Things will happen today that will have impacts that reach all the way to eternity and beyond. So for The Awakening, I'm J.D. walt, and I'll see you on the field.