Comforting The Hurt Series

Comforting The Hurt- Peace

Jeffery Anselmi / General

Comfort and Joy / Hurt; Peace; Comfort / Luke 2:14; Isaiah 40:1–5

God wants to comfort and bring peace to his hurting people and a hurting world through the work of the Messiah, Jesus.

INTRODUCTION

• Here we are, in the middle of the Christmas season.

• This is a season for joy and peace.

• When you look at the world around you, isn’t it great to see all of the joy and peace in the world today?

• I am so glad to look around me and see no wars, hatred, sorrow, pain, or anger.

• Well, maybe the world is not quite like that, even during Christmas.

• When we looked back at Isaiah 40:1-5 last week, we learned that the nation of Israel was far from experiencing peace; they were moving in and out of captivity because of the sins of the nation.

• Through the prophet Isaiah, the Lord offered a message of hope.

Isaiah 40:1–5 (NET 2nd ed.)

1 “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God.

2 “Speak kindly to Jerusalem, and tell her that her time of warfare is over, that her punishment is completed. For the LORD has made her pay double for all her sins.”

3 A voice cries out, “In the wilderness clear a way for the LORD; build a level road through the rift valley for our God.

4 Every valley must be elevated, and every mountain and hill leveled. The rough terrain will become a level plain, the rugged landscape a wide valley.

5 The splendor of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it at the same time. For the LORD has decreed it.”

• When do you need to be comforted?

• When you’re sad, depressed, let down, or physically in pain.

• When you were a child and hurt yourself, you would cry, hold where it hurt, and run into the arms of a parent.

• That parent probably comforted you.

• You were in pain, but love comforted you in your pain.

• We look at the issue of comfort and how being comforted can lead to peace.

• When you look at the world around you, it becomes evident that we do not see the peace we would like to see because the world is full of broken and hurt people who, because of where they are in life, cannot experience true peace.

• Isaiah 40 is located after the judgment described for God’s people in chapter 39.

• God’s people will be judged and conquered by the Babylonians.

• They will be hurt physically, emotionally, generationally, and spiritually.

• But one of the most important aspects of Isaiah 40 is the call for comfort.

• “Comfort, comfort my people” is what God says.

• However, the context of Isaiah goes beyond the comfort of the Israelites and reveals the comfort God wants to bring to the world through his chosen Messiah.

• Now, over 700 years after Isaiah wrote the passage, something was about to change for the world.

• Around 6 B.C., a game-changing event was about to take place.

• Luke 2:14 is a well-known Bible verse that is part of the account of Jesus’ birth in the Gospel of Luke.

• To understand the historical context of this verse, it is crucial to consider the broader historical and religious background of the time.

• (Roman Rule)

• At the time of Jesus’ birth, the region of Judea, where Bethlehem was located, was under Roman rule.

• The Roman Empire had conquered and occupied various territories, including Judea, and imposed its authority over the Jewish people.

• (Jewish Expectations)

• The Jewish people had a long history of waiting for the Messiah, a promised deliverer who would liberate them from foreign oppression and establish God’s kingdom on earth.

• This expectation was rooted in their religious scriptures, particularly the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament).

• (Messianic Hopes)

• Many Jews believed the Messiah would come as a political and military leader, overthrowing Roman rule and restoring the Jewish kingdom.

• This expectation of a powerful Messiah was prevalent during the time of Jesus’ birth.

• In this historical context, Luke 2:14 takes on significant meaning.

• The verse is part of the angelic announcement to the shepherds in Bethlehem, proclaiming the birth of Jesus.

• The angels declare “Glory to God in the highest heaven,” acknowledging the divine significance of Jesus’ birth.

• The second part of the verse, “and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests,” carries a message of hope and peace.

• It is important to note that the peace mentioned here is not primarily political or social peace but rather spiritual peace.

• The birth of Jesus is seen as the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Savior who would bring peace between God and humanity.