The Presence of Peace

Opening Scripture:

Matthew 1:18–23 NIV

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

First-century Jews interpreted Old Testament prophecies through various cultural and political lenses, resulting in several distinct messianic models:

The Royal Davidic Messiah: This was the most common expectation—a military and political leader from the line of David who would conquer Rome, purge Jerusalem of Gentiles, and rule in peace and righteousness

The Priestly Messiah: Groups like the Qumran community expected a "Messiah of Aaron" who would cleanse the Temple of corrupt leadership and restore ritual purity

The Prophetic Messiah: Many anticipated a figure like Moses or Elijah who would perform signs and wonders or lead a new Exodus

The Transcendental "Son of Man": Some sources, described a pre-existent, heavenly being closely associated with God who would judge the wicked and rule an eternal kingdom

The Jewish people put their faith and hope more in the presence of titles, and different political views based upon their own interpretation as to what the Christ would be and actually do when He entered into this world.

The Jewish people misunderstood the prophecies of the Christ because they were looking at it merely through a human lense instead of Gods perspective

They had hope BUT they placed their hope in the wrong things…. Their hope was more in an earthly kingdom rather than an eternal heavenly kingdom

The hope that we have been given through Jesus is NOT based off of worldly systems but instead the fulfillment of the promise that HE IS WITH US!!

Where Jesus Is, Peace Reigns

Ephesians 2:14 NIV

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

Jesus is our source of peace — The world can NOT and will NOT give us everlasting peace

The peace that Jesus gives unifies righteousness and separates us from unrighteousness (Sin).

When we place the world into our troubles we add fuel to the fire

When we place Jesus in the midst of our troubles we extinguish the flames of our troubles

Where Jesus is absent Peace is also absent

Justified — And Finally at Peace

Romans 5:1 NIV

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

When we put our Faith in Jesus being the Son of the most High God and His completed works on the cross and Resurrection we are Justified — We are given a clean slate.

We maintain that Justification through constantly repenting daily (dying to ourselves daily).

Through the Justification we have recieved by Faith we have peace in our hearts because we have been reconciled to our creator — our heavenly Father.

Jesus had us in mind when He told the parable of the prodigal son… We all have lost our way.. BUT when we find our way back to the Father through Jesus He greets us with love, compassion, understanding, and grace!

Strength Supplied, Peace Secured

Psalm 29:11 NIV

The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.

The world will always be the world BUT because we have Jesus we have peace that surpasses all understanding

Even when we have Jesus sometimes the weight of the world can be a bit overwhelming and try to hinder the peace we have in Jesus by shifting our focus from Him to what is going on around us.

We MUST NOT put our focus on the size of the storm but instead on the size of our God!

God provides us with His strength through His word, communication with Him (prayer), and worship.

Nothing can rob us of our peace unless we allow it to

Keep your focus rooted on the fulfillment of Gods promise — Jesus, our Lord and Savior in which we have recieved!

Your Next Steps

Shift your Focus back to Jesus: Identify one area where you’ve been placing more trust in worldly solutions than in Jesus—and intentionally surrender it to Him this week.

Chose Faith Over Fear: Take one obedient step God has been prompting you to take—even if it doesn’t make sense yet.

Return daily to the Father Through Repentance: Make daily repentance a rhythm, not a reaction.

Strengthen Your Peace Through Gods Presence: Set aside intentional time daily for:

Prayer

Scripture

Worship

Not to escape the storm—but to remain anchored in God through it.