Peace

Have you read today’s newsfeed? The world has changed since you last scrolled through the news—division in government. Stocks are up and down—medical updates. Sports teams win and lose. Players get traded. A coach resigns, and another gets fired. Evil leaders attempt to expand their kingdoms by taking over another area. The world revolves around a twenty-four-hour cycle of change. What will happen next? No one is certain.

Some of you are reading this at a difficult economic time. Your business has shrunk. Your sales are down. Your customers are cutting back. Your salary has been reduced. Your position has been terminated. Many jobs in your company are gone, and the rumors are flying that more downsizing is coming. For some, the tough times have hit hard. For others, the tough times have hit home. Listen to the words of Jesus.

God stands by the brokenhearted. But he doesn’t just stand by. He is not a passive onlooker. He comes to us in our brokenness as the Divine Doctor, the Sovereign Surgeon, the Holy Healer. He brings exactly what we need at the precise moment we need it, not a moment too soon, not a second too late.

Sin sits heavy on the soul. Our failures never wander far from our minds. With the memory…comes the guilt. Sin keeps us chained to shame and regret. And as long as we keep silent, we stay…tethered. That’s what David experienced.

As we move through the week of Christmas, we are focusing on Jesus, the One Isaiah described as the “Prince of Peace.” 

From the first moment of the miraculous conception, Jesus humbled himself. He was “made in human likeness” to die in our place on the cross. He gave his life as our substitute to make it possible for us to have peace with God.

There is no one like Jesus! Check out his resume in today’s passage. He is the One, the only One, who transforms chaos to peace.

Though Jesus had no need to repent and be cleansed from sin, his baptism was the first act that identified him with humanity’s sin and becoming our substitute. His work on the cross would bring us peace. 

Simeon was a righteous and devout man, full of the Holy Spirit. His heart was set on the peace that God’s Anointed One would bring to his people. He had waited a long time.