Micah 5:5 “And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.”
Peace, the mention brings thoughts of serene landscapes to me. A fresh snowfall where all is silent. A deserted beach at the end of the day. The sunset is subduing all around it, and there is no sound except the slow crashing of waves on the beach. When I think of these there is no stress present. This verse talks about the Man of Peace. This can only be the baby born in a manger. This Peace is our comfort. The fulfilling of the prophecies of the Messiah brought great peace to the heart of all who believed this was truly the Messiah. Think of Simeon in the Temple. It was revealed to him by the Holy Ghost that he would not die until he had seen Jesus. Can you imagine the peace and joy he felt when he finally saw Jesus? Simeon even says, “now let thou thy servant depart in peace”
Luke 2:25-30 “And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,”
Simeon knew what this child was all about.
In Ephesians 2:14, Paul states that he, Jesus, is our peace because he broke down the wall that separated Jews and Gentiles. He made us all one. Jesus came to save all who would receive him, not just one group of people.
Ephesians 2:14 “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”
When the angels announced his birth in Luke 2:14, they proclaimed peace on earth. The world is and was at war with God. Sinners are at enmity against Him and each other. We live in a world where most are out for themselves, and they are not concerned about their fellow man. However, Jesus came to reconcile that world to a Holy God by His atonement. He brought peace with our Maker by inducing us to submit and stop our sinful rebellion against God. When we follow His plan, we then have a peace that passes all understanding. He encourages us to lay aside our differences, and to seek the good of others, to show compassion and love.
Philippians 2:2-5 “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
If everyone sought Jesus and followed his teachings, there would be no more war.
In Isaiah 9:6, he calls him the Prince of Peace. A prince is a sovereign ruler, a part of the royal family. Jesus is the maker and ruler of peace. He is the only real peace. In John 14:27, he says he leaves us with peace and it is His peace. Not the kind of peace the world thinks about or offers, but a real deep-seated peace that brings confidence for the future.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Those of us who are seeking to follow him need to be a catalyst for a peaceful world. We are to show the difference Jesus makes within us. When we act like the world, there is no reason for them to want to change. This Christmas make a difference. Be a peacemaker. You can do this because the great Peacemaker lives within you. Seek not your way, but seek to serve.
