The One Who Is to Be Our Peace

[Announce text] On the fourth Sunday of Advent, we listen to the prophetic voice of Micah from the Old Testament to engage our hearts and minds for the season of Christ’s arrival. If you have a Bible, please open to Micah 5:2-5a.

[Scripture introduction] Now, as you listen to Micah, understand this: all is not well in the land. The nation is war-stricken and partially dissolved, and only two tribes of Israel remain. Refugees from the North have taken up residence in Judah and Benjamin. The cities are overwhelmed, and the rich and powerful seek the opportunity to exploit the vulnerable and weak for their gain.

In those days, the nation felt the crushing weight of condemnation for their egregious sins against the Lord. Another portion of the Israelites scattered, searching for hope in the distance, while a small, faithful remnant sat in sorrow, waiting for God to make peace on earth.

[Reannounce and read text] With this backdrop in mind, let’s turn to the passage in Micah 5:2-5a for our Advent reading.

[Prayer for illumination] O Lord, feed us the nourishing truth of your holy Word and fill our empty stomachs with the bread of life. Grant us hope, peace, joy, and love, and provide us with the riches of your grace so we may hear your words clearly and believe everything you have said through the prophet. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

[Introduction] Do you remember a time in your life when you felt extremely hurt? And everything that could go wrong did? Perhaps we can take a moment and reflect on others who are experiencing unfortunate circumstances.

The single mother down the street feels the weight of condemnation every time she calls the local churches in the area for food assistance. She thinks in the back of her mind, “What will they think of me.”

Another person the hurt has impacted is an autistic boy at the preschool who has been struggling to make friends in the classroom. Every time he passes the ball during recess, none of the other children play with him. He goes away feeling scattered and alone.

Lastly, a widowed grandmother who is home-bound again for the holidays. The days pass, and she hears no word from her friends and family. She feels utterly forgotten and grieves in the pain of it all.

These are people who lack community, security, and peace and who feel separated from God's love.

Maybe you feel this way to leading to Christmas…wondering if God is near, why cannot I feel his overwhelming love and compassion?

You may feel condemned for past sins and regrets or scattered because of the lack of friendships. Or, at worst, you feel forgotten during the holiday season.

These experiences are unbearable and a painful reality for many of us. So I ask, looking inwardly at ourselves... [FCF] When I feel condemned, scattered, and forgotten, where shall I go to approach the love of God?

[Scripture bond] It is in the passage of Micah that we are given a glimpse of where these pains can be addressed in a fallen world and where we can encounter the loving presence of God in the fourth week of Advent. So, where shall we go to approach the love of God?

The prophet speaks plainly; he announces where we can encounter this kind of love that renews the soul. The Scriptures articulate this truth in these words.

[Proposition] Come forth to the shepherd of peace and draw near to him, and there the love of God is found.

You will see how this truth is revealed in Micah’s prophecy concerning the Messiah, who will give hope, peace, joy, and love to the people of God. It all begins in an obscure place.

Do you know where God births love?

[Main point 1] God's love comes forth from obscure places.

[Explanation] The Lord chose Bethlehem [house of bread] Ephrathah [fruitful] will be the source of the love of God to all mankind who are condemned, scattered, and forgotten. It is the same house of Jesse, the father of King David. He, too, was born in this obscure village.

To give you a sense of the insignificance of this little village, when Joshua divided the Promised Land into the twelve tribes, he did not name Bethlehem as one of the inherited villages. (It’s like calling Argyle a town.) It’s not worth mentioning.

But the Lord uses the lowly to raise the weak.

[Illustration] This is seen in Matthew's gospel account concerning the birth of Christ. It was foretold and expected that the Lord would use small to accomplish a great work of salvation.

Matthew 2:1–6 ESV

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

Matthew speaks concerning where love was born. From obscurity and humility. The hope for Israel and the church did not arise from luxury or comfort. If it did, the ruler of Israel would have been born in Jerusalem. Instead, the Lord chose the foolish in the world to shame the wise (1 Cor 1:27).

[Application] If the Lord uses the lowly to uplift the weak who feel condemned, scattered, and forgotten. How much more should the ruler of Israel’s people be the source of divine love? You and I are the touch points for connecting Christ's lowly and humble love to our world.

Will you feed the single parents who are at their last-wits end? Will you be a playmate to the autistic children who feel isolated and lost? Will you converse with the widowed grandparents who feel forsaken and alone? For we are the source of obscure love, for God has given it to us. God’s love comes to the world through this little church. It began in Bethlehem, but it is now here in Ubly.

We have this love to give because of what God has done for us, even when we feel condemned, scattered, and forgotten. Through Micah, we see how the Lord has met our need for love, and he has done this through the hope of the coming shepherd to the world.

This is the second truth from the prophet.

[Main Point 2] Return to shepherd, for he cares for you.

[Explanation] In the former years in Micah’s days, the Lord gave them up (Micah 5:3) because of the sins of Israel. It pained the heart of God to see his beloved people practicing wickedness and violence, but instead of leaving them in darkness without a future. God was gracious and sent his Son into the world to be born of a virgin.

He would become the new ruler of Israel, leading the people back to the light and ways of God. This shepherd is not like the religious rulers of the past, but he will be different. He will come in the strength and majesty of the name of his God. He will save his people not through swords and chariots but with the strength of his God.

[Illustration] This shepherd reminds us of the former shepherd and king of Israel, David. When he fought against the Philistine giant Goliath, he did not lean on his strength and might but relied on the power of his God. David, the lowly shepherd who was overlooked by his brothers and born in obscure Bethlehem, was chosen by God to care for the nation. He struck down the Lord’s enemy with one stone, and Israel experienced security and unity once again in the land.

Comparably to David, the new shepherd, Jesus Christ. He stands before us all. Under his oversight and divine love, he cares for our security and gathers us together in his kingdom. We have refuge from our enemies, and the best part is that he will make us great to the end of the earth (Micah 5:4).

[Application] And as the shepherd who cares for you and I. Christ calls his people to action just in doing one thing to experience his divine love. Do you know what Jesus requires? He requires us to “return” to the shepherd who cares for us.

The act of ‘returning’ is to refrain from sin and draw near to the shepherd in faith. Micah said it best what the Lord requires.

Micah 6:8 ESV

8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Doing good and turning to Christ in faith is the action we must take so we can enjoy and relish the love of the shepherd. His grace is plentiful and abounding, but it cannot be felt until we return to our spiritual homes—which is Jesus Christ, the shepherd-king.

In Him, there is security for our soul even in times of condemnation. In Him, there is a community that helps us when we are spiritually scattered and helps us follow the Shepherd. He also gives us something we all need when we feel forgotten in this world.

The shepherd gives us this incredible gift this Advent. He will be our peace (Micah 5:5a).

[Main Point 3] He is our peace and expectation.

[Explanation] Micah knew that one day, things would be brighter and peace would come upon the people of God. We, too, should know that Jesus Christ, as the shepherd, will not only gather us in his church and make us great on the earth and give us security from our foes, but he is the essence of peace from God.

As the angels declared at the birth of Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:10–14 ESV

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Jesus Christ is the incarnation of the peace of God. He has the strength and majesty of the name of his Father to grant us peace this season because of the gospel. And what is the gospel, also known as the good news?

Christ came as the ultimate shepherd to save his lost sheep and bring us back to God through his death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. In Jesus, we can confidently declare this Advent with the angels: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those whom he is pleased!” For he has taken away my condemnation from sin and death. He has secured my scattered soul and brought me into the kingdom. He has not forgotten me but has redeemed and carried me in the love of his arms.

As we reflect on the peace of Christ. I want us to meditate on the Scriptures of Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

6 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.

Christ’s peace and expectations have changed me, others you know, and millions worldwide, just like this story I want to share with you.

[Illustration] During World War II, soldiers carried out their duties amidst chaos and destruction, longing for moments of peace. One soldier, amidst the gunfire, took a moment to pull out his worn Bible. He read the peace verses, feeling a profound calm wash over him. Jesus stands as our Shepherd on the battlefield of life, promising peace that surpasses all understanding, even in the most challenging times.

[Application] So, what shall we do this Advent with only three days before Christmas? I would encourage you to wait patiently with hope, peace, joy, and love for the coming of Jesus.

It was God’s plan from the beginning to give us divine love.

[Conclusion] So I say to you all, let us come forth to the shepherd of peace and draw near to him, and there the love of God is found.

If you feel condemned, scattered, and forgotten, turn your life to Jesus, the shepherd who cares for you and when you come to him. You will receive his peace and experience his love forever.

Amen.