ChristmasReading2022A - Flipbook - Page 36
Prince of Peace
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, Everlas ng Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
The an cipated One will bring peace. In Isaiah 9:5 we read these
words: “Every warrior’s boot used in ba le and every garment rolled in
blood will be des ned for burning, will
be fuel for the re.” The same thing is The destiny He
said in Psalm 46:9. We read that God
“makes wars cease to the ends of the brings is peace
earth. He breaks the bow and
and not a vicious
sha ers the spear; he burns the
shields with re.” Walter
conflict. His mission
Brueggemann writes that “this is not
is shalom.
a peace made by nego a on or
reconcilia on. It is rather an
imposi on by the winner.” The des ny He brings is peace and not a
vicious con ict. His mission is shalom.
When the great company of angels announce to the shepherds in the
elds at night that the Christ is born in Bethlehem, they make it clear
that this is a glorious thing. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and
on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” they proclaim. “On
earth…peace!” This would not be a Pax Romana version of peace, but
the shalom version. The shalom version would bring reconcilia on
where there was aliena on, forgiveness where there was guilt,
generosity where there was lack, a en on to the ignored and
neglected, humility where there was self-righteousness.
As Jesus went through the villages and towns of Israel teaching and
healing, He brought peace to humans living outside peace. To the
woman who was a “known sinner” in her neighborhood, Jesus says: “…
go in peace” (Luke 7:50). In the next chapter, to a woman who was
healed by touching the fringes of His clothes, Jesus says: “…go in
peace” (Luke 8:48).
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When Pilate asked Jesus, “What is it that you have done?” Jesus replies
that His Kingdom does not mirror the aggression of the present world.
He says:
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DAY Seventeen: December 14 - Wednesday