Peace Be With You

Introduction

It was Christmas Eve, 1914, on the Western Front of World War I. For months, soldiers on both sides had lived in mud and misery, pressed down by the sound of artillery and the constant fear that the next moment might be their last. The stretch of land between their trenches—No Man’s Land—was a wasteland of barbed wire, frozen earth, and the memories of battles that had never seemed to stop.

But that night, as darkness settled over the fields of France, something unexpected began to happen.

From the German trenches, a faint song drifted across the cold air—Stille Nacht. Silent Night. The men on the British side heard it and, almost without thinking, answered with their own carol. One voice became several, and soon both sides were singing the same song in different languages, the melody rising above a battlefield that had known almost nothing but violence.

Slowly, cautiously, soldiers began to lift their heads. Some climbed out of the trenches entirely. Rifles stayed behind. Hands were raised. Men who had been trying to kill each other hours earlier met in the middle of the field, shaking hands, exchanging cigarettes and chocolate, showing pictures of family. They buried the dead. They shared warmth in the freezing night. Some even played a small game of soccer on the frozen ground.

For a few hours, the war stopped. For a few hours, there was quiet—real quiet. Many later wrote home that it felt like the world itself had taken a breath. Like peace had finally broken through.

But by the next morning, orders came down the line. The war was to continue. The brief stillness faded. The trenches filled again. The guns began to roar. And the ground that had held a moment of peace returned to its old, familiar chaos.

Soldiers carried the memory with them, though. A night when, for just a moment, the world was not as it had been. A night when peace—fragile, temporary, borrowed—rested on a battlefield.

You may have heard this story before. I feel like it makes it’s rounds occasionally this time of year.

It’s a beautiful moment to think about in the middle of events that were so horrible and hard to think about.

I love how the soldiers remembered this moment, of quiet. A moment where the felt like peace had finally broken through.

But sadly we know it was fleeting temporary. World War 1 continued to wage on for just shy of 4 more years.

But even when it came to a close on November 11, 1918 things did not truly return to peace.

there was still political instability, economic collapse, and rise of extremists across Europe, Hilter coming to power, Germany rearmed and breaking treaty terms, Italy invading Ethiopia….and 21 short years later WWII began on September 1, 1939

WWII was not even the end. five years after that we were involved in the Korean War.

Then we have Vietnam which stretched on for over a decade.

The Gulf Wars of 91 which I can remember quite well, we even had trading cards for those.

The wars of Afghanistan and Iraq after 9/11.

And most of us know that still today war and conflict continue all around the world, and the conflicts and stress of our world continue beyond battlefields and stretch into our own communities as people are divided and fight over anything and everything.

The world feels far from peaceful.

And yet for that moment… on Christmas, the song Silent Nigh led to a moment of singing, cigarettes, and soccer together. Differences put aside and united by something.

SEAM

As we were reminded during the lighting of the advent Candle, peace is more than an absence of war. But our minds quickly go to one of two things when we hear this word. The absence of war, or a quiet still moment that breaks up the chaos, and carries with it a more silent night.

Yet, as we look at the chaos, the conflict, the brokeness of the world around us we yearn for a lasting peace. We become worn down the the conflict and struggles of the world. So we retreat to our safe places of retreat. Like movies where we put ourselves through stories full of conflict. Or the internet where everyone agrees and speaks kindly to one another. (smile)

We know that there are very few truly peaceful aspects to the world we live in. So as we step into advent and seek the kind of peace Jesus is talking about, we first need to wrestle with what that word really means, and then ask ourselves, how can we really experience it in a world full of noise, chaos, and conflict.

STUDY THE WORDS

So as we seek peace in this advent season let’s begin by looking at the word peace itself and how scripture useses it and understands it.

Starting with the old testament which mostly written in Hebrew the word used for peace through out scripture is one you may have heard. It is the word Shalom.

This may be one you have heard before. Let’s start by looking at how this word and it’s word family in the hebrew language is used and translated through out scripture.

18 Also take these ten portions of cheese to the field commander. Check on the well-being of your brothers and bring a confirmation from them. 1 Samuel 17:18 (CSB)

20 The King asked, "Is the young man Absalom safe?"2 Samuel 18:29a (NIV)

11 But the meek will inherit the land     and enjoy peace and prosperity. Psalm 37:11 (NIV)

3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;     there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. Psalm 38:3 (NIV)

So we can see the word peace, but that same word is showing up as prosperity, health, well-being, safety. There is a sense of wholeness or rightness across many layers and aspects of life. The root word of Shalom is Shalem and means whole or complete.

Many people of Jewish descent will still use this word much like those from Hawaii use the word Aloha. It’s is a word used in greeting and fairwell.

Shalom

If i walked up to you and greeted you with the word peace, you might think I was trying to connect with my inner hippy. But in light of an understanding of the convent nature of this word, a forward looking sense of wholeness, well-being, security, safety, etc. It makes a lot of sense to great someone with Shalom, like we might write in a letter…I hope this letter finds you well.

Or in departing we are really wishing all the best, and completeness or someone as we depart.

NOW

The new testament version may not be quiet as exciting, but it is still used a lot in the new testament. The greek word we see there is

Eirene

It is almost always translated as peace like we see here in Matthew 10:13

13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. Matthew 10:13 (NIV)

but there are a few small instances where it is translated with the well being, safety, security feel to it, such as this passage in luke.

21 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his possessions are safe. Luke 11:21 (NIV)

SEAM

So now we can see the word peace as something that moves beyond an absence of war. It’s not just the quiet between the seasons of chaos, brokeness, or destruction. It the sense of things moving beyond that and being restored, made whole, returning to a sense of well-being and prosperity.

So Advent, a moment of Jesus arrival, a moment where the Prince of Peace is showing up on the scene should be bringing an end to all of this chaos for us, and yet here we are. Sitting with on going wars and conflicts, how do we grab ahold of this peace that Jesus offers and how does it truly bring wholness to us?

Isaiah 9

I spent some time this week looking at the prophecy in Isaiah chapter 9 where he uses this term prince of peace. And I loved what I saw there.

This message is but warning and bad news from Isaiah, as the northern kingdom is already been attacked and is starting to be taken into exile. And yet, there is a message of hope woven through out what seems like a chaotic, war heavy, warning.

1 Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan- 

Zebulun and Naphtali the northern part of the northern kingdom of Israel. They are the first to be attacked and taken captive by the assyrians. This has already happened as Isaiah records these words. You may be more familiar with the next location he mentions, which is Galilee. This was the gentile influenced region in the north where Jesus set up the home of opperations during his years of ministry. Destruction, choas, brokeness has come to this area. But…in the future restoration….something new…..something that is the opposite of what is happening now will begin in the region.

2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 

This darkness is a reference to the political, economic, sociatial uncertainty that is entering into the picture. Things feel uncertain, and unsure, but there is light coming. Something that will allow us to see more clearly maybe.

3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 

Here there is an image of conquering, territory and spoils being claimed. But the promised territory that is being gained is something better than possessions. There joy is tied to their deliverance, liberation. An expanding of their territory that is different than what war and conquest bring.

4 For as in the day of Midian's defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 

Midian’s defeat is a shout out to one of my favorite stories from the book of Judges where little old Gideon who is the weakest son, in the weakest family, in the weakest tribe, has his army stripped down to 300 and God delivers the midianite army whose camels were said to be as numerous as grains of sand on the shore. This was a story that showed victory that only God can bring.

But this passage doesn’t just talk about a victory, it talks about a victory that breaks the yoke that burdens them. The bar across their shoulders which points to captivity, and the rod of oppressors.

Jesus…My yoke is easy my burden is light.

5 Every warrior's boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 

The essential boots of the military, and all the blood soaked garments that are so common and essential with war, and conflict and destined to burn. What is being promised and what is coming will not require these things. This is not only something that only God can do, but it will not be accomplished through military conquest.

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. Isaiah 9:1-7

25 “All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.John 14:25-27 (NIV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)

PREP AND STUDY

1 Samuel 17:18 CSB

Also take these ten portions of cheese to the field commander. Check on the well-being of your brothers and bring a confirmation from them.

WELL-BEING

Genesis 28:20–21 CSB

Then Jacob made a vow: “If God will be with me and watch over me during this journey I’m making, if he provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, and if I return safely to my father’s family, then the Lord will be my God.

SAFELY

2 Samuel 18:29 CSB

The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom all right?” Ahimaaz replied, “When Joab sent the king’s servant and your servant, I saw a big disturbance, but I don’t know what it was.”

ALL RIGHT or safe

Psalm 37:11 CSB

But the humble will inherit the land and will enjoy abundant prosperity.

PROSPERITY

Job 21:9 CSB

Their homes are secure and free of fear; no rod from God strikes them.

SECURE

Psalm 38:3 CSB

There is no soundness in my body because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.

HEALTH

Isaiah 9:1–8 CSB

Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as you did on the day of Midian. For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.

This passage along with chapter 8 move from gloom, judgment to promise of light, deliverance, joy.

Zebulun and Naphtali are Galilee, in the north. They are the first taken and conquered by Assyrian invasion and subsequent exile 734-732 BC.

They were humbled, but will be the first to be made glorious. To see a great light. Jesus Ministry operated out of his home base in Galilee. Jesus begins his redemptive work where Exile first began.

Darkness and Anguish are imagery refering to geographical, political, and spiritual despair, resulting from the conquest, foreign rule, and loss of covenant identity.

Shattering of Yoke and Rod

The prophet states that God will “shatter the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor.”

These images represent the heavy bondage, tribute, and cruel authority imposed by the conquering assyrian empire and other foreign overlords. (ROME)

The future victory is compared to Gideon’s win over the Midianites. Nothing done by the strength or capability of man, but pure deliverance from God.

Burning of Gear and Divided Spoils

Image of complete and final peace. It signifies that the insturments of war, will be destroyed forever, as they are not longer needed.

The reference to “rejoice…as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder” suggests overwhelming joy of a victorious army celebrating the wealth and possessions taken from a defeated enemy, but in this context, it represents the joy of the people upon their deliverance and restoration.

John 14:27 CSB

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.

Luke 10:5–6 CSB

Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’ If a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.