Pathways to Peace
Blake Heffner December 10th, 2006
“Pathways to Peace” December 10, 2006
Texts: Isaiah 9:6-7; 26:3 Colossians 1:15-20
INTRO: Isaiah foretold that the child who is born to us, the Son who is given will be called “the Prince of Peace.” The angels declared to the shepherds that his birth would bring peace on earth and good will toward all. Yet, our world is still desperately lacking peace, and our lives are no different. Nonetheless, the Bible urges us to “seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14). Let’s consider some of the pathways to peace in God’s Word.
I. Peace through Stillness
In this season, how often we find ourselves in such a dither that we don’t have any peace. We have so many things to do, so many places to go, that it feels more like chaos than peace. When things get crazy, the psalmist tells us to: “Be still and know I am God.” He is not suggesting we escape to a beach in the Caribbean. You may remember that Psalm 46 begins with imagery of an earthquake, where the mountains are shaking in the heart of the sea, the ocean waves are raging. The psalmist goes on to tells us that the Lord puts an end to wars by breaking bows, shattering spears, and burning shields with fire. It is amid this picture of violence that we read: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
The simplest pathway to peace for you and me is to stop for a moment –each day and just sit in the presence of the Lord. Just take a break from our frenzied activities, and be still. Sit down, maybe put on your favorite Christmas album, begin to breathe deeply and say the name of Jesus. It’s amazing how “pacifying” it is. This puts everything into perspective. We can let go and let God help us create an agenda we can live with!
II. Peace through Concentration and Trust
Sometimes, though, the tension and anxiety in our lives come from more than busy-ness. There are storms and stresses that just about bowl us over. You know what I mean: someone is very ill, another is out of work and has bills to pay, or a marriage has hit the rocks. Perhaps, someone very special has died at this time of year, and all we can think about is how much we miss that person. In such overwhelming situations, we can begin to despair of ever finding peace or joy again.
There’s a little verse tucked away in the prophecy of Isaiah that’s brought me through such situations in the past - chapter 26, verse 4. The version I memorized long ago runs like this: “Thou dost keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusts in thee.” “Perfect peace” – that sounds like something we only dream about!
Peter could verify this. Remember that windy night; the disciples were in their fishing boat. The waves were tossing them all around. Then, suddenly someone sees Jesus walking on the water! They were terrified – thinking he might be a ghost. Jesus identifies himself and says, “Don’t be afraid!” Peter says, “Lord, if it’s you, let me to come to you on the water!” You know the rest of the story. Jesus says, “Come!” And Peter leaps out of the boat and actually begins to walk on the water toward Jesus. But, when he notices the wind, he begins to think about the danger of drowning. He starts to sink like an anchor, until Jesus reaches out and catches him.
The point is that we often look more at the troubles that surround us than at the Lord who is right in front of us. If we could just keep our minds concentrated on Him, we’d experience the perfect peace Isaiah describes. Whenever we take our eyes off of the Lord, we succumb to anxiety and despair. This season, keep your mind “focused” on the One who is Lord even of the winds and waves in our lives – and He will give you peace.
III. Peace through Reconciliation
In our epistle lesson today, Paul alludes to another form of peace – the peace of reconciliation: “Through the Son, then, God decided to bring the whole universe back to himself. God made peace through his Son’s sacrificial death on the cross and so brought back to himself all things, both on earth and in heaven.” We live in a day when “conscience” doesn’t seem to bother many folks. Few people realize that their lack of peace may come from being separated from the living God through sin.
Martin Luther, however, had an extremely sensitive conscience. He tried everything to please God. He confessed his sins, he fasted and prayed fervently; yet, he felt no peace. He knew that whatever he did could never satisfy a holy God. Then the Spirit revealed to him the good news that we don’t have to appease God. That is why God sent his only Son into the world! In terms of Colossians 1, Jesus was “making peace by the blood of his cross” so that all things might be reconciled (or brought back) to God! This realization brought indescribable peace and courage to Luther, and it still does to everyone who receives Jesus Christ as Savior.
Reconciliation has two dimensions. We often emphasize the vertical one – reconciliation between ourselves and God. All we have to do is confess our sins and accept Christ as God’s free gift of grace. For many folks it stops there. They have become “children of God,” but they still may not enjoy serenity in their soul. This is where other dimension of reconciliation comes in. Jesus taught that if we harbor anger or resentment toward another person, it will affect our peace with God. In fact, there is no peace with God without our making peace with our neighbors. How often Jesus tells us that we cannot enjoy the forgiveness of our sins by God unless we extend that forgiveness freely toward others. Similarly, we will never experience the peace of Christ until our fists become open hands reaching out to our enemies, our clenched teeth give way to a warm smile, and our hardened hearts overflow with the love that conquers a multitude of sins. When we let God’s mercy flow through us toward that person who has hurt us, we experience true freedom and healing. This Christmas, why not identify anyone who has offended you, and just let go of your claims of injustice. Ask the Lord to fill your heart with His forgiveness toward that person. The Bible doesn’t suggest this as an option. No, it is a mandate; we are called to be ministers of reconciliation. This is our surest pathway to that peace which the world cannot give or take away.
IV. Ultimate Peace
Finally, in these days, we are constantly reminded that there is no peace in the world. Every evening the news media tell us about the violence in Iraq or Lebanon or Israel or somewhere else in the world. The death toll is terrifying, and we almost grow numb to the carnage. Beyond that, we shudder that other nations are developing nuclear weapons. In this world, there never seems to be any lasting sense of peace. When one hot spot cools off, another heats up.
Yet, Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. Isaiah declares: “Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end!” And we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Come, and put an end to this systemic hatred and violence. Come, bring on the day when “they shall beat their swords into plow-shares and their spears into pruning hooks; and nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more!” (Isa. 2:4).
This is the sentiment expressed in the Christmas carol we are about to sing: “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day.” This carol was inspired by the angel’s message to the shepherds: “peace on earth, good will to men and women!” The jubilance of the bells on Christmas day is disturbed by the thought that “there is no peace on earth… for hate is strong, and mocks the song of peace of earth good will to men” Yet, the bells seem to respond: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; the wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace of earth, good will to men.”
Centuries ago, the Puritan Thomas Watson summed up this whole message in a paragraph: “God the Son is called the Prince of Peace. He came into the world with a song of peace: “On earth peace…” He went out of the world with a legacy of peace, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you.” Christ’s earnest prayer was for peace; he prayed that His people might be one. Christ no only prayed for peace, but bled for peace: “Having made peace through the blood of His cross.” He died not only to make peace between God and man, but between man and man. Christ suffered on the cross, that He might cement Christians together with His blood; as He prayed for peace, so He paid for peace.”
Friends, as we approach Christmas this year, let us “seek [this] peace and pursue it” in all its dimensions. Be still and experience God’s presence. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, and trust him to carry you through whatever storm is shaking your boat. Discover anew how Jesus has made peace with God by the blood of his cross, and share that peace, that reconciling love, with others. Then finally, listen to the bells that ring and remember that the Lord has a day when ultimate and lasting peace will come – on earth as it is in heaven!
Prayer
Great and gracious God, our heavenly Father, we praise you for sending your only Son into this world that we might have true and lasting peace: peace within and peace without. O Lord, bring us into this peace today, and in the days to come help us to share this peace with everyone we meet. May Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, be glorified in our lives. Amen.
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