PEACE - Season of Advent

Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Introduction:

A preacher from the late 1800s told this story… “The old lighthouse keeper lived a solitary life, high on a desolate cliff overlooking the churning sea. Every night, through storm and calm, he meticulously tended his lamp, polishing the great lens until it gleamed, ensuring its beam cut through the darkest night. He knew that out in the relentless waves, ships depended on that light for safe passage. One particularly violent storm raged, threatening to extinguish his vital light. The wind howled like a banshee, and rain lashed against the lantern room. But the old man, with calloused hands and a steady heart, kept the lamp burning brightly. He understood that his purpose was not merely to exist, but to provide a guiding light, a beacon of safety and peace in the midst of chaos.”

Like those ships at sea, our lives often encounter storms of anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. We search for something to guide us, something to anchor our souls when the waves of life threaten to overwhelm us. We long for peace. And it is precisely this deep human longing that the Advent season addresses, pointing us to the ultimate source of peace.

D.L. Moody, the great evangelist, once remarked, "There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things." Yet, God often begins His grand work in the most unexpected and humble of ways, bringing forth His greatest gifts from the smallest places. A.W. Tozer, with his characteristic spiritual depth, observed, "The peace of God is an all-sufficient antidote to the world's unrest." This peace isn't just an emotion; it is a person, a King. And Charles Spurgeon, the "Prince of Preachers," declared, "It is not the absence of storms, but the presence of Christ that brings peace."

This Advent, let us fix our gaze upon Jesus, our Shepherd-King, the true light and source of all peace.

1. The Promise of a Ruler from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

Our journey begins in an unexpected place, a small, seemingly insignificant town. The prophet Micah, speaking centuries before Christ's birth, declared, "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days" (Micah 5:2 ESV).

To properly understand this verse, we must consider its historical and grammatical context. The name "Bethlehem Ephrathah" distinguishes it from another Bethlehem in Zebulun. "Ephrathah" was an older name for the area and likely refers to its fertility, but it also emphasizes its small stature among the more prominent cities and clans of Judah. The phrase "too little to be among the clans of Judah" is crucial; it underscores Bethlehem's lack of political or military importance. Yet, from this humble village, God declares that a "ruler in Israel" will emerge. This ruler is no ordinary man, for "whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days" speaks to His eternal pre-existence, revealing that this promised ruler is divine. Micah prophesies that God, in His sovereign wisdom, would choose the most unassuming of places to be the birthplace of the Messiah, the one who is eternal and will govern His people.

Illustration: Imagine a grand symphony orchestra preparing for a concert. The conductor, a master musician, surveys all the instruments—the booming drums, the sweeping strings, the blaring brass. But then, for a pivotal, beautiful melody, he points not to the grand piano or the powerful trombones, but to a single, small, often overlooked flute. From that flute comes a clear, pure note that carries the heart of the piece. In the same way, God chose Bethlehem, a town "too little" to draw much attention, as the instrument through which His most profound melody of salvation would be played. It reminds us that God's power is often most evident in what the world considers weak or insignificant (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).

1 Corinthians 1:27–29 AMP

[No] for God selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is foolish to put the wise to shame, and what the world calls weak to put the strong to shame. And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are, So that no mortal man should [have pretense for glorying and] boast in the presence of God.

Application:

Given that God chose a humble, "too little" town like Bethlehem for the birth of His Son, we should be encouraged to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when His methods seem unconventional or when our own circumstances feel insignificant. Do not despise small beginnings, for God often uses the humble to accomplish His greatest work (Zechariah 4:10). Furthermore, this reminds us to look beyond worldly appearances and recognize God's hand at work in places or people we might easily overlook. We are called to surrender our own expectations of how God "should" work and embrace His perfect, often surprising, wisdom (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Zechariah 4:10 ESV

For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.”

Isaiah 55:8–9 ESV

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

2. The Shepherd Who Brings Peace (Micah 5:4-5)

Micah continues to paint a picture of this coming Ruler, revealing His nature and His work: "And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace" (Micah 5:4-5 ESV).

The imagery here is rich and profound. Jesus is not just a ruler; He is a shepherd. This role is deeply significant in biblical thought, conjuring images of care, protection, and provision. The phrase "he shall stand and shepherd his flock" implies a firm, active, and watchful leadership. He shepherds "in the strength of the LORD" and "in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God," indicating that His authority and power are derived directly from God Himself. This is not merely human strength, but divine might and glorious authority. Because of His divine shepherding, His people "shall dwell secure," experiencing a stability and safety that only He can provide. His greatness will not be confined to Israel but will extend "to the ends of the earth," signaling a universal reign. The climax of this prophecy is the declaration: "And He shall be their peace." This is more than just delivering peace; Jesus embodies peace. He is the peace that humanity desperately needs—a holistic well-being, a right relationship with God, and a settledness in our souls.

Illustration: Consider a child lost in a dense forest, surrounded by shadows and unfamiliar sounds. Fear grips their heart, and every rustle of leaves brings panic. But then, through the trees, they see their parent, strong and calm, calling their name. The parent reaches out, embraces the child, and leads them safely out of the darkness. The child doesn't just feel peace because the danger is gone; they feel peace because the one who is their security, their comfort, their protector, is present. Jesus is that Shepherd for us. He doesn't just point to peace; He leads us into it, because He Himself is our refuge and our strength.

Application:

Since Jesus is our Shepherd-King who leads with divine strength andour peace, we are called to actively rest in His care. In times of anxiety, fear, or uncertainty, we can bring our burdens to Him, trusting that He will provide security and stability. This means intentionally surrendering our worries and finding our inner peace not in external circumstances, but in the unwavering presence and protection of our Good Shepherd. We are to cast all our anxieties on Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). This also compels us to follow His leading, knowing that His guidance always brings us to pastures of peace and security.

1 Peter 5:7 ESV

casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

3. Peace Announced at Jesus’ Birth (Luke 2:13-14)

Centuries after Micah's prophecy, the night sky over Bethlehem erupted with a glorious announcement. As shepherds watched their flocks, an angel appeared, followed by 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!" (Luke 2:13-14 ESV).

This angelic proclamation serves as the divine affirmation and fulfillment of Micah's earlier prophecy. The arrival of the Messiah, the promised Ruler and Shepherd, brings peace. The specific phrase "peace among those with whom he is pleased" is crucial for exegesis. It indicates that this peace is not automatically bestowed upon all humanity indiscriminately. Rather, it is offered to those who are the recipients of God's favor, those whom He has chosen and who respond to Him in faith. This "peace" is a salvific peace, initiated by God.

Jesus brings peace in three crucial dimensions:

Peace with God:

Our sin separates us from a holy God, creating a state of enmity. But through Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross, our sins are forgiven, and we are reconciled to God. We are no longer His enemies but His children (Romans 5:1). This is the foundational peace, the peace that makes all other peace possible.

Imagine a deep, impassable chasm between two people, so wide and perilous that no one could ever cross it on their own. This chasm represents the separation sin creates between us and God. But Jesus, through His death and resurrection, built the only bridge across that chasm. When we step onto that bridge by faith, we are brought into perfect harmony and relationship with God.Illustration: 

Peace within:

When we have peace with God, we can experience an inner peace that transcends our circumstances. The anxieties, fears, and turmoil of life can be overwhelming, but Jesus offers a peace that guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7). This is not a naive optimism, but a deep trust in God's sovereign control and loving care, even in the midst of trials.

Think of a storm-tossed boat on a raging sea. Inside, the disciples were terrified, but Jesus was asleep. When He awoke and commanded the storm to be still, there was "a great calm" (Matthew 8:26). Our lives can be like that boat, tossed by external circumstances. But when Jesus is truly in our boat, when we trust in His presence and power, He can bring a profound inner calm, a peace that stands firm even when the waves crash around us.Illustration: 

Peace with others:

As followers of Christ, we are called to live in peace with one another. While perfect harmony may not always be achievable in a fallen world, Jesus empowers us to pursue reconciliation, forgiveness, and love in our relationships (Romans 12:18). He breaks down barriers and unites us in His Spirit.

Consider two rival families who have been feuding for generations, their animosity deeply ingrained. No one seems able to bridge the divide. But then, a mutual friend, loved and respected by both sides, steps in. This friend tirelessly works to mediate, to explain, to forgive, and eventually brings them to a place of understanding and reconciliation. Jesus is that ultimate "mutual friend" for humanity, breaking down the dividing walls of hostility between people and uniting us in Himself (Ephesians 2:14-16).Illustration: 

Application: 

Receiving Peace with God:  repent and believe the gospel. 

For anyone who has not yet experienced this foundational peace, the application is clear: This Advent, receive the greatest gift—reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. If you have never confessed your sin and placed your trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior, then this peace, freely offered through His sacrificial death and resurrection, awaits you (Romans 10:9-10).

Cultivating Peace Within: 

For those who have peace with God, the call is to actively cultivate and guard that inner peace. This involves consistent prayer, dwelling on God's Word, and allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our minds (Philippians 4:6-7). When anxieties arise, we are to fix our thoughts on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8).

Becoming Peacemakers with Others: 

As recipients of God's peace, we are commissioned to be instruments of His peace in a fractured world. This means intentionally pursuing reconciliation in strained relationships, extending forgiveness, and speaking grace-filled words. It calls us to actively work for justice and harmony, reflecting Christ's character in our homes, churches, workplaces, and communities (Matthew 5:9; Romans 12:18).

Conclusion

So, what does this mean for us today, as we await and celebrate the coming of our Shepherd-King?

First, receive the peace Jesus offers through faith. This peace with God is not earned by good works or religious rituals; it is a gift freely given to those who believe in Jesus Christ. If you have never surrendered your life to Him, if you have never repented of your sins and placed your trust in Him as your Lord and Savior, then the greatest peace—peace with God—awaits you. Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again, offering you forgiveness and eternal life (Romans 10:9-10). Embrace this truth, and you will find the peace that truly satisfies.

Second, be peacemakers in a world filled with conflict. As those who have received the peace of Christ, we are called to extend that peace to others. Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God" (Matthew 5:9 ESV). This means actively seeking reconciliation, speaking words of grace, and working for justice and harmony in our homes, communities, and even globally. It means reflecting the character of our Shepherd-King, who Himself is our peace, in all our interactions.

May this Advent season be a time when we deeply experience and boldly share the profound peace that only Jesus, our promised Shepherd-King, can bring.