Peace
In a little more than a week, many will celebrate the birth of the Prince of peace. We get this name for him from Isaiah 9:6-7: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this."
The run-up to this celebration of "peace" is often chaotic, however, as anyone who has gone shopping in stores can attest. People in a lot of places seem to panic when it comes to getting the "best" deals on gifts and so pandemonium ensues.
Pandemonium also accompanies a lot of travel this time of year. And given the circumstances of His birth, there must have been a fair amount then too, even when people planned ahead as much as possible. Luke 2 provides the setting: "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child" (2:1-5).
When this child was born, Luke records a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (2:14).
When this child was brought to the temple to be presented to the Lord, a man named Simeon praised God in these words: "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32).
That wasn't all Simeon had to say about this child. He told the child's mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will piece through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed" (Luke 2:34- 35).
And a lack of peace with God is one of the thoughts revealed. Such peace is something our hearts yearn for, but it can only be had on God's terms. Grind your teeth at that thought? He isn't obligated to make peace with such rebels as we are. That He deigns to offer peace should cause us to agree to the terms, whatever they are.
What astounds me is that He has not only determined the terms, but seen to it that they are already fulfilled. How could that be? A Holy God and a far from holy person have nothing in common.
That is why a gracious and merciful God decided on His own to bring about the Incarnation, giving His only Son to live a life that would fulfill all the requirements of the Law and then suffer the death of a criminal. God, having raised Christ from the dead, verifies and authenticates His acceptance of this sacrifice.
This salvation is for both Jew and Gentile alike. As Paul wrote to the Romans regarding Abraham and his faith: "But the words 'it was counted to him' were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 4:23--5:5).
The run-up to this celebration of "peace" is often chaotic, however, as anyone who has gone shopping in stores can attest. People in a lot of places seem to panic when it comes to getting the "best" deals on gifts and so pandemonium ensues.
Pandemonium also accompanies a lot of travel this time of year. And given the circumstances of His birth, there must have been a fair amount then too, even when people planned ahead as much as possible. Luke 2 provides the setting: "In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child" (2:1-5).
When this child was born, Luke records a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (2:14).
When this child was brought to the temple to be presented to the Lord, a man named Simeon praised God in these words: "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" (Luke 2:29-32).
That wasn't all Simeon had to say about this child. He told the child's mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will piece through your own soul also), so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed" (Luke 2:34- 35).
And a lack of peace with God is one of the thoughts revealed. Such peace is something our hearts yearn for, but it can only be had on God's terms. Grind your teeth at that thought? He isn't obligated to make peace with such rebels as we are. That He deigns to offer peace should cause us to agree to the terms, whatever they are.
What astounds me is that He has not only determined the terms, but seen to it that they are already fulfilled. How could that be? A Holy God and a far from holy person have nothing in common.
That is why a gracious and merciful God decided on His own to bring about the Incarnation, giving His only Son to live a life that would fulfill all the requirements of the Law and then suffer the death of a criminal. God, having raised Christ from the dead, verifies and authenticates His acceptance of this sacrifice.
This salvation is for both Jew and Gentile alike. As Paul wrote to the Romans regarding Abraham and his faith: "But the words 'it was counted to him' were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us" (Romans 4:23--5:5).
posted by Ebeth | 10:34 AM
2 Comments:
I enjoy your blog. I noticed my comments do not register on your comment counter. I especially liked your essay on Grace, I struggle with people in my life who take advantage of others. Not becoming frustrated to the point of resentment is a challenge for me.
Thankful for HIS peace. May it reign in our hearts throughout the year.
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