Christmas 2020: Peace

Today is our second Sunday of the Advent Season!

Last week we focused on the theme of Hope, as we considered what took place with Zechariah in Luke 1. Today’s theme is Peace, and we will be looking at the rest of Luke 1.

Peace. Something that the world cries out for, isn’t it? Everyone seems to want peace, and yet if you look at the world today, it is sorely lacking peace. War was outlawed in 1928. However, how many wars have been fought since that time? Whether on an international level, national level, local level or personal level, people want peace. “Just give me a moment of peace!” Yet, for everyone wanting it, we still don’t have it...

Peace. The desire of nations...

What is peace? How can we have peace? How does Christmas help us to find peace?

Let’s begin by reading Luke 1:26-56, and then we will consider how this passage can encourage us toward Peace.

Luke 1:26–56 NIV

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. For no word from God will ever fail.” “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.

Prayer

What a difference!

As I read this account of Mary’s interaction and reaction to Gabriel coming to let her know that she was going to have a baby, I am struck by the difference between Mary and Zechariah.

Where Zechariah was praying to have a child, yet without hope, Mary was not looking to have a child yet. She wasn’t even fully married.

Zechariah who wanted a child did not believe what Gabriel told him the Lord was going to do.

Mary wondered how, but believed that God would do what he said.

She responded,

Luke 1:38 NIV

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

As I read these accounts, I see Zechariah without hope, and without peace. Then, I see Mary having hope. And especially reading these words, I believe...

Mary had Peace

I don’t picture Mary fretting or nervous. I picture her humbly accepting what God was going to do. “I am the Lord’s servant.” She knew the Lord was in charge. She knew the Lord could, and would do what He planned and said. She realized that she was in the Lord’s service. Her life was not her own. She belonged to Him. And, she could trust Him.

She was ready for the Lord to do all that He was going to do.

Mary had peace.

Why shouldn’t Mary have Peace?

What the angel told her was great news, wasn’t it? She was going to have a baby! And not just any baby. She was going to have the promised descendant of David who would establish His kingdom forever! Finally, the hope of the nations would be born!

Why should she not have peace?

Did you notice Mary’s first reaction to the angel?

Luke 1:28–29 NIV

The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.

Did Mary have anything that robbed her of peace? Yes!

She was troubled when the angel appeared to her. Even the words the angel said troubled her.

What was going on? She is a sinner like everyone else. Who is she that the angel would appear to her? What is going on?

Why shouldn’t Mary have Peace?

The angel told her to not be afraid. But did she have things of which to be afraid? Things that would take away her peace?

Well, Mary was just a young woman. She had never had a child before. I remember when Jen was going to have our first child. We knew what would happen. But… we didn’t know what it was really going to be like. We knew we wanted a child, but we didn’t really know what it would be like. Were we ready?

I imagine Mary had to have some anxious thoughts, right?

What is more, Mary was unwed. She was betrothed, or legally bound to be married to Joseph. However, they were not married yet. If she was pregnant, what would Joseph think? He would obviously knew he was not the Father. What would he suspect of Mary? What did he suspect?

And, not just Joseph. What would her parents say? Most parents are thrilled when their children let them know they are going to become grandparents. However, in this case, what were her parents going to say? In Eastern cultures, honor is important. What shame and dishonor would she bring on her parents?

What would her friends do? How would her friends react?

What would everyone do to her? The law required those who were adulterers to be stoned to death. Would they come after her?

Wait, if this child is supposed to be the king who would reestablish the Davidic throne, what about the Romans? What about Herod who was killing his own family members to secure his throne? What would they do?

Did Mary have anything to worry about? Anything that would rob her of peace?

Yes. Mary had to endure difficult circumstances and trials. Do you think she didn’t know this when the angel told her? Even if she was caught up in the glorious moment, don’t you think she thought of this after the angel departed? Would she have thought of this by the time she traveled to see her cousin Elizabeth?

I’ll bet she did. And yet, when she gets to Elizabeth, we do not see a young girl who is fretting. What do we see?

Luke 1:48–49 NIV

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.

This is not a young woman who is worried and anxious. She may have anxious thoughts come to mind. But she is not controlled by fear and anxiety. She is at peace.

We see a young woman who is praising the Lord and confident that others will call her blessed!

Mary had Peace.

What is Peace?

Mary’s circumstances were not peaceful. And yet, she had peace.

So, the first question is, “What is Peace?”

The world is constantly talking about peace, and trying to achieve. I was reading some estimates this week which I found interesting.

“Since 1919, the nations of Europe have signed more than 200 treaties of peace. Each treaty, simply another scrap of paper, was broken more easily than consummated.

“From the year 1500 B.C. to A.D. 1860 more than 8,000 treaties of peace, meant to remain in force forever, were concluded. The average time they remained in force was two years.”

This research and discussion focuses on what the world wants, and what it calls “Peace.”

To the majority of the world, peace is the end of outward conflict. It is the removal of outward circumstances that cause pain, anxiety, worry and stress. When the outward circumstances are fixed, then one can experience peace, both outward and internal.

Is this Peace? The removal of outward stressors? What does the Bible have to say about Peace?

In the Bible, the Hebrew word for peace in primarily internal, and then also external.

Peace is an internal wholeness and calm.

Peace, biblical Peace, is more internal than outward. It is inner state of wholeness. It is an inner calm, that is not from outward circumstances. Though, this personal peace can have an influence to bring outward wholeness and restoration.

That is why Job could speak of peace in the midst of his troubles.

That is why Jesus warned his disciples of coming troubles, but that He would give them peace.

John 16:33 NIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The focus is on the inward wholeness of a person, even if they are in the midst of strife. Job could have peace. David asked about the peace of his general Zoab when Zoab was out leading his armies in war. Jesus could warn us of troubles ahead, and in the same breath tell us that He was giving us peace.

Peace is an internal wholeness and calm

Peace is first an internal calm. Then, it can influence the outward circumstances, and there can be peace outwardly, between people. We cannot be at peace outwardly if we are not at peace within.

Think about it. Why is there outward strife between people? Why is there a lack of peace in the world between individuals, people groups, political parties and nations? Is it not because they not at peace within themselves? If they were whole and calm on the inside, would they not stop striving with others?

James 4 tells us that there is a lack of peace between people, because of our own selfish desires on the inside. If we were all at peace on the inside, we would all be at peace on the outside!

Peace begins on the inside

The problem is, that without solving internal issues, there can be no outward peace. Peace must begin on the inside.

The world has a wrong view of peace. We have a wrong view of peace. We think of internal peace following outward peace.

The Bible lets us know that the outward peace follows internal peace.

So, let’s get back to Luke 1, and Mary.

Mary certainly had outward circumstances that could rob her of peace. Her parents wanted a good reputation, which would have been threatened by Mary being pregnant.

Joseph wanted a pure bride, which was seemingly not the case with Mary being pregnant.

The Jewish culture wanted purity, which Mary was seemingly not.

Herod wanted his throne at all costs, which Mary’s child would threaten.

These desires created internal turmoil for these individuals, and would lead to outward turmoil and trouble for Mary.

How could she have peace with all the turmoil?

How did Mary have peace?

Yes, Mary knew the trouble around her. I am guessing that is partly why she went to live with her cousin for three months.

However, we have the explanation here in the passage.

She knew and believed:

God is blessing Mary

Luke 1.28 Greetings, you who are highly favored!

God was greatly, overflowingly blessing Mary. Others would not recognize it at first, but later people will know the truth!

God is with Mary

Luke 1.28 The Lord is with you!

God is in charge

Luke 1.38 I am the Lord’s servant.

She knew that the Lord was at work. Even though others didn’t see the Lord at work, she did. She knew that God was working this out for the good for her, her family, her friends, her nation and the world! This child would grow up to be the Messiah! The King!

God has a plan

Luke 1.31-33 The Lord had it all worked out. She would have the son, who would grow as the Son of the Most High who would establish the throne, the eternal kingdom!

God is at work

Luke 1.35-36 The Lord is working to make this all happen. What is impossible for men, is possible with God!

God never lies and never fails!

Luke 1.37. No word from God will ever fail!!

God always keeps His promises!

This is why Mary had Peace. This is why Mary could say,

in Luke 1.54-55, the Lord keeps His promises.

Luke 1:54–55 NIV

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

It may have been years in coming, but God always follows through! God never fails!

Mary had peace because she knew and believed:

God is blessing her

God is with her

God is in charge

God has a plan

God is at work

God never lies and never fails!

She knew God’s plan for her.

That is how Mary had peace. That is how Christmas can help us to know peace when the world is in turmoil around us.

Let’s bring this back to us.

Do we have Peace like Mary?

Remember peace is not good, outward circumstances. Peace is internal while the troubles rage.

David Milton who was an eighteen-year-old merchant seaman aboard ship in 1942. Milton told of one time when his ship was transporting Sherman tanks across to Europe. In the middle of the Atlantic, these tanks broke loose in a big storm. They were Sherman tanks, twenty, thirty tons. As the ship would roll, these tanks would just slide through the hole and bang up against the bulkhead. Then they’d roll the other way, just shaking the ship apart. So we pulled out of the convoy. We headed into the sea, while the deck seaman went down below to secure those tanks. They were riding them like cowboys, trying to hook cables through. Finally, they got the tanks lashed down.…*

The great danger to Milton’s ship came, not from the storm on the outside, but by the disturbance on the inside. We can handle the stresses without only when we are battened down within.

What needs to be battened down within us?

What do we need to address on the inside?

What robs us of that inner peace? It is not the outward circumstances that rob us of peace. They are an influence, but do not determine whether we have peace.

Mary had rotten circumstances outwardly, but had peace.

Jesus told the disciples they would have rotten circumstances on the outside, but would have peace on the inside.

Do you have peace, biblical, inner-wholeness, inner-calm?

What robs us of peace? How can we know peace?

If it is not the outward circumstances that rob us of peace, that what is it? What robs us of peace?

And what is the answer so that we will have peace?

The first thing that robs us of peace, inner wholeness and calm is sin.

Sin - Know the Blessing of the Lord

Sin is breaking us within. When we have sin in our lives, when we have followed our own selfish desires and put our desires before everyone else, we are robbed of peace on the inside.

Isaiah 59:8 NIV

The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths. They have turned them into crooked roads; no one who walks along them will know peace.

James 3:16–17 NIV

For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

How can we know Peace?

By knowing and receiving the blessing of the Lord.

Mary was told that she was highly favored by God. Do you think she was more blessed than you? Do you think God looked at Mary with more grace, which is the root word for highly favored?

The word for higly favored is found only twice in the New Testament. Once here with Mary. The other is in Ephesians 1.6. Let’s read this quickly in its context.

Ephesians 1:3–14 NIV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

This is one of the best run-on sentences in the world!

You have been highly favored by God! God sent Jesus into this world as the Prince of Peace! He came to give you that inner peace for which you long! He has blessed you with every spiritual blessing, forgiving your sin, cleansing you, adopting you, and more!

When sin robs you of peace, know the forgiveness and blessings of the Lord, and that will restore the peace.

I am alone - Know God is with you

Like the woman at the well who was an outcast, or the woman caught in adultery, or like Jesus when he was abandoned by his disciples, or Paul who was abandoned by his spiritual children, friends and coworkers, we can find ourselves feeling abandoned and alone.

However, just like Jesus was there for those women, and for Paul, we are not alone. The Lord is there!

Just like Mary would have felt alone as others did not believe that the Lord was doing this great thing, she was not alone. The Lord was with her!

In the same way, the Lord is with you!

Isaiah 41:10 NIV

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Everything is out of control - Know God is in charge

We want control. We want to keep everything working just the way we want it. We want to remove everything that is not right in our own eyes. We want control.

However, we are not in control. We have so many things in our lives that we cannot control. We even have problems controlling ourselves!!

Mary was not in control of others around her. She could not keep herself safe. She could not keep her child safe.

She needed to know that God was in control. She knew and believed that. So, she knew peace.

The disciples needed to learn that, which is why Jesus was sleeping through the storm. These experienced sailors tried and tried when the storm was raging. When they finally realized that all of their experience, all of their might, all of their seamanship did not work, they were out of control, they finally went to Jesus. Jesus was at peace and sleeping. They were striving and had no peace. Then, Jesus made it all calm. “Why were you so afraid?” Why don’t you have peace? I am with you. The Creator is in ultimate control of His Creation.

As we say in Daniel when we studied that at the beginning of this pandemic,

Daniel 2:21 NIV

He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Daniel 4:35 NIV

All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

God is in control. We do not have to fear or be anxious. We cannot control this virus and keep our families safe. We cannot control our nation. We cannot control our families. We cannot control ourselves.

However, the Lord is in control. When we focus on that, we can know Peace like Mary did.

What is going to happen - Know God has a plan

Mary wondered, too, “How can this be?” How is this going to work? The Lord told her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” That explains it? Right?

She still didn’t know exactly how things were going to go. She did not know exactly how God was going to take care of the details. However, she knew God had a plan.

She knew and trusted God’s plan.

You and I often do not know how things are going to work in life. We do not know how things will go. We cannot see how things are going to work.

However, we can rest in God’s plan.

A favorite verse for many is Jeremiah 29.11.

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God had a plan! How awesome!

However, think of the context. Babylon had conquered Israel. Babylon had besieged Jerusalem, and the people had starved. Finally they were conquered and forced to march for months to Babylon. Life was not good.

How could they know peace? God had plans.

God’s plans do not eliminate trouble in this world. It gives us peace in the midst of trouble.

I do not understand what is happening - God is at work

I am sure there were times when Mary did not understand what was happening. That is often the case in our lives, especially when troubles come.

However, we can trust that God is at work. He told us he has a plan. He has told us what the end result will be. However, there are roads we will travel that are unfamiliar as we get there.

That is why Job could say,

Job 13:15–16 NIV

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!

This is why Paul, when sitting in prison could right to the Philippians,

Philippians 1:19 NIV

for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

God is at work! He is bringing everything in line to work out his plan!

I do not see this working out - God never lies and never fails

Yes, God is at work. But I do not see this working out. I cannot see how this will turn out for my deliverance. I don’t see it.

Well, for those anxious thoughts, Remember what Mary said...

Luke 1:54–55 NIV

He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

God fulfills His promises.

Even now at Christmas, remember the promises that God made and fulfilled. He promised Adam and Eve that there would be a son who would destroy the power of sin and Satan. Even though they could not see how that was going to work, and even though for 4000 years or so, others did not see how it would work out, Jesus came! God was at work the whole time, and God never fails, he never lies!

Even though it was thousands of years before this seed of Abraham came, he did!

Even though it was hundreds of years since it was prophesied, and many times different nations had invaded the land and conquered the area, Jesus was still born in Bethelehem!

Even though it was centuries without a king from his royal line, David had a descendent who was born that would establish his throne forever!

God never lies! God never fails! When your anxious thoughts come and you just don’t see it happening, know that God never lies, God never fails, and find His peace.

I am anxious and my mind is racing - Know the Peace of the Lord

Have you been there? You mind is just racing from one thought to another. One fear to another. One prediction after another of how things are going to go badly.

How can we know peace?

Just like Mary did.

Did you notice that her song was focused on something other than herself and her troubles? Her song was focused on the Lord!

Look at it again...

Luke 1:46–55 NIV

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”

Mary set her heart and her mind on the Lord. She used a song. Songs have power through the combination of the music and the lyrics, to focus our attention!

Focus your attention, as Mary did, on the Lord!

Then, you will know peace. As it says in Isaiah 26:3:

Isaiah 26:3 NIV

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

The Lord is the one who keeps us in peace. He is the One who gives us peace when the world, and our flesh/our minds try to rob us of peace.

Paul told the Thessalonians, who were fearful because of the way their world was going, and some false teaching that came saying that the Lord had come and gone and they had missed it. After giving them the truth of what God was going to do, Paul said this:

2 Thessalonians 3:16 NIV

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

God gives us peace.

We cannot get peace from outward circumstances.

Peace does not come by having no trouble in our lives.

Peace is the inner wholeness and calm that we receive from the Lord when our Minds are steadfast, fixed on Him.

It is as we fix our minds on Him, knowing and believing:

God is blessing us

God is with us

God is in charge

God has a plan

God is at work

God never lies and never fails!

we will know peace!