Jesus’ blessing for us at the beginning of his incarnation and at the end of his earthly ministry was peace!
Just a few weeks ago we read this promise from Jesus…
Giving peace to his disciples and all of us, He said, John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
At times, it seems so very far away
The armies of heaven proclaimed to the shepherds on His birth, Luke 2:14
Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
But let’s take a moment to look at the whole passage
Luke 2:8 – 14
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
I believe the Lord is doing much more than what we see at first glance
The angels could have come at any time but God sent them at night to establish the contrast.
The people in Israel were in a great darkness, shrouded by religion, Roman oppression, fear, and ignorance.
Shepherds did not have a great reputation. A third-century rabbi described shepherds this way… “There is no more despised occupation in the world than that of shepherds.” Along with gamblers and tax collectors, herdsmen were regularly listed among despised trades by Mishnah and Talmud[1]
The night the angels appeared, was not only a physical darkness but a spiritual one of oppression, prejudice, and spiritual and physical bondage.
The good news of great joy scattered the darkness physically and spiritually bringing a renewed hope to the shepherds who may have been weighed down simply by reputation of their vocation as well as the whole world, as later they went throughout the town proclaiming the good news! Isaiah 9: 2 made this clear
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine.
How does this apply to us today….God’s word is alive Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Jesus’ birth announcement coming to scatter the darkness in a broken world among a broken people is just a powerful today to bring light into our lives
Wherever there is hidden darkness…
Fear
Guilt
Shame
Loneliness
Hurt
Rejection
Or whatever is holding you away from the Lord, people, or your future blessings.
God has come with news of great joy of a Savior being born to bring light, hope, joy, life, freedom, wisdom, insight, understanding and whatever you need!
Because the good news is very personal, it is for “you” “To you is born this day…”
That was just one angel’s announcement but then the armies of God all joined in perhaps hundreds of thousands, millions, or even billions of angels began to sing
14 “Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”
Can you imagine that volume, that vast array of angels suddenly appearing, overwhelming the stars and the entire night sky, singing a promise of God? They were promising a coming King who would rule over their hearts. This “Messiah” or “Christ” would follow the line of Kings in the heart of David.
Peace – this word is not peace just like merely a lack of conflict but it means complete wholeness, it is proclaiming and end to the estrangement and wall between man and God and an open door from now on between man and God.
It falls on all those with whom he is pleased….
Do you want peace today? Is there something you are battling that has robbed your peace your wholeness of heart, mind, and soul?
If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then this promise is for you
If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you can make that decision today. God designed you to fulfill a destiny. Paul wrote that you are God’s masterpiece. You were not designed to be without peace but to be whole in every way, to be at peace, to have joy, and to be filled with love always, to have every bit of hurt, woundedness, and pain taken care of in your life.
The angels gave us a promise from God that is alive and active for us today…peace on all of whom the Lord is pleased!
Jesus just reclaimed and reestablished that plan of peace for us for today… John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Please let this Christmas be your best ever expect Him to meet you even today!