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Last week we used the text of Luke 2:10 where the angel appeared to lowly shepherds and announced the birth of the One who would be the Savior of all men. When the angel finished his announcement the sky was filled with a heavenly host who proclaimed: Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. People today often ask, "Just where is this so-called peace?" Well, that’s a good question. We certainly don’t have peace between countries. There have only been a few years of recorded history that have been free from war. WWI was called, "the war to end all wars," but that didn’t happen. WWII started about twenty years later. When that ended, nations who had fought together, were soon fighting each other, and it continues right up to the present. So, were the angels just singing platitudes? Is the bible wrong? No! No! Isaiah the prophet prophesied the birth of the coming Messiah who would be called the prince of peace. Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. It’s pretty clear from the next verse that he is speaking of God Almighty coming to earth as a child to establish an everlasting kingdom. Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of [his] government and peace [there shall be] no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. Jesus came to His own people and they crucified Him, instead of accepting His kingdom (John 1:10-11). However those who did receive Him were allowed the privilege to be born into that kingdom (John 1:12-13). Those who have experienced this new birth can readily tell you that they have experienced the peace of God that the angels sang about. Some, such as Polycarp, an early church father, demonstrated the peace of God while being offered a chance to escape being burned alive, if he would only deny Christ. Polycarp replied, "Eighty and six years have I served Christ, nor has He ever done me any harm. How, then, could I blaspheme my King who saved me? You threaten the fire that burns for an hour and then is quenched; but you know not of the fire of the judgment to come, and the fire of eternal punishment. Bring what you will." That is the type of peace that the angels sang of. Isaiah also prophesied that Jesus was chastised for our peace. Isaiah 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. The apostle Paul told us that Jesus made peace through the blood of His cross. Because of Him we have peace with God. Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven. This peace is a peace that the world can’t understand. As the song says, "The world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away." Jesus said: 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. John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Because we know the One who spoke peace to the wind and the storm (Mark 4:39), we have confidence that He is just as able to speak peace to the storms of our lives. We know that just as He heard the cry of a feeble blind man, He hears us. No, we weren’t promised a bed of roses, neither was He. Just as He accepted His future saying, "Thy will be done," we can be at peace with God and march bravely to the future, come what may. All because of our Savior, the Prince of Peace, who purchased peace for us by the blood of His cross. So friend, if you are looking for peace, look beyond the babe in the manger to the Christ on the cross, and you will indeed receive the peace of God, the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). And then there’s heaven! Peace forever more with Jesus. Song: There is Sunshine in the Shadows "He was created of a mother whom He created. He was carried by hands that He formed. He cried in the manger in wordless infancy, He the Word, without whom all human eloquence is mute." - Augustine Our Expository Studies
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