The Candle of Piece

Have you ever been at war with another person?

That is a tough and loaded question right out of the gate and in between thanksgiving and Christmas. But the question stands. Have you ever been at war with another person.

If you said no, I’m sorry to say that you are lying. If you want to insist upon it and go to war with me on the issue, well, I win.

Ever since Genesis 3 human beings have been at war. The strange thing with that is that when war showed up, so did hope.

Last week we lit the Hope candle and we learned that hope is necessary and crucial, but it is temporary. When Jesus returns and we are in heaven with him then hope will no longer be needed.

This week we lit the candle of Peace. And if you noticed in the bulletin and on the screen an apparent typo, you’ll understand in a short time why it’s there.

We have two short passages today that describe Jesus as Peace. The interesting thing contrast between Hope and Peace is one is with us in full force and will one day go away. And the other is a promise and a shadow of it’s fulfilment.

Let me explain that. Peace was here and with us from Genesis 1 until the beginning of Genesis 3 and then it was gone. We turned from our creator and went to war. We sinned and turned our back on peace.

Why did we do that? Why did we choose war over peace? Because when mankind chose sin over God a shell went up separating us from our God. We were separated from his peace and all we saw was self.

Who remembers Humpty Dumpty?

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the Kings horses and all the kings men, couldn’t put Humpty together again.

When we read the poem or see an image of Humpty Dumpty we think of or see and egg. We see the guy as a giant egg and when he falls we see him cracked and broken into pieces.

When we are in sin, it’s like we are living inside the egg and all we want is what’s in the egg. Just a big spoiler all that is in the egg is YOU. When sin is our master then all we do is serve ourselves.

When all we want is ourselves that means we are at war with anyone outside our shell. And there are a lot of people out there in that world that are nothing like me.

We are at war when our SELF is threatened.

Wow, pastor, this is Christmas time, shouldn’t we be getting a boost this time of year?

One thing I really appreciate about Jesus, is that he never told people what they wanted to hear, but instead what they needed to hear.

Christians are not immune from self-centeredness. Your pastor isn’t immune. In fact, the Bible speaks of our self centeredness.

Genesis 6:5 ESV

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

This was mankind prior to the flood. It didn’t get much better. Our current natural fallen state is war. And if you still think that’s being to hard. Like, for example, let’s say you get along with most everyone. You play cards, or hang out with everybody. You go to church, potlucks, events. And it just seems like you are at peace with everyone, except that one person.

There’s that one person you just don’t like, you walk away when they come in the room, you avoid them. Or maybe your confrontational. Maybe you get in their face. Either way, you get along with everyone, except that one person.

James 2:10 ESV

For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

You are at war. I am at war. Human beings are at war. We are in our little shell and our shell is lined with mirrors. All we want to see is ourselves and when someone tries to break in we fight them. We don’t see someone trying to help, we see someone trying to hurt us, or tear down the shell of self we’ve built up.

But Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)

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.

In this list of names for the Messiah we end with the Prince of Peace. That is such a strong name to a people who have not know true peace. It still rings true.

We live in a country who just under 50% of the people like the color blue, and just a tad over 50% like the color red. We can’t even get along as a country.

We have people in our own community that won’t talk to their neighbor because of something said decades ago.

We hang on to war, even when Jesus brings peace

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

These are Jesus’ direct words to is disciples, said shortly before his crucifixion. If Jesus is the Prince of Peace, then that means Jesus is the personification of Peace. Meaning that if you want Peace in your life, then instead of looking at the mirrors in your shell, you have to look to Jesus

A few chapters later after Jesus rose from the dead, Thomas had his shell back on. He didn’t believe Peace was back. He didn’t believe that anything good could ever happen again.

Thomas was about to break out of his shell.

John 20:26 ESV

Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”

We often read this phrase culturally like we might said “Hey, how’s it going?” or “Thanks for inviting me in.” I see it like a presentation of identification. “PEACE be with you.” Peace is in your house, stop fighting.

Thomas got the memo

John 20:28 ESV

Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”

No more fighting, no more war. Peace was there and Thomas bowed to it.

Why this reminder when we are at a time of year when we are supposed to be focusing on the peace instead of looking ourselves in the mirror? Because all to often we forget how awesome our peace is. We forget that Jesus came to this earth, lived a perfect life and then gave his life up for us all. He gave it. I’ve never given anything so grand as my entire life for anyone, much less all mankind.

And too often we put ourselves before peace. We choose war over peace. We choose hate and anger over love and forgiveness, we choose wrath over grace and mercy.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. When we decide that war isn’t worth it. When we are tired of looking at ourselves and trying to get people to look like us. When we hit rock bottom, we fall down.

Peace starts when we break into pieces.

And we break into pieces. Now, we can pick up those broken pieces and we can put them together again. We can even try and find people to help us rebuild ourselves. Problem is. all the people in the world

All the kings horses and all the kings men.

Can’t put you back together again. At least not any better than you were, and probably worse.

Peace Piece

However, the prince of Peace and pick up your broken pieces and with his heart of PEACE he can PIECE you back together and you won’t look like you anymore. You will look more like Jesus.

You’ll seek peace more than war. I’m sorry to say that this side of eternity you’ll probably have to be broken several times and rebuilt.

Sometimes, you’ll break yourself and offer up the PIECES to the Prince of Peace. Sometimes you’ll hit rock bottom and you’ll have no choice but to offer up your pieces to Jesus. Either way, if you offer your brokenness to Jesus, he will remake you and it will be better.

Only the Prince of Peace can put you together again. And in this Christmas season, we celebrate that Jesus came to a war torn world and lived as peace. He died and rose again for the war torn world and he will one day return to piece up the pieces and rebuild peace.

Pray with me