The Peace Of Christ: A Light In The Darkness Series

Isaiah 9:2-7. [2] The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. [3] You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. [4] For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. [5] For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. [6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (ESV)

When the angels appeared there to those shepherds, they came with a song of “peace [on earth], good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14) …But that brings up a real question: if you’ll look around, there doesn’t seem to be much peace. As a matter of fact, our world is saturated with a lack of peace. Now, there’s an old Christmas carol that goes this way: “I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will [toward] men”. (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, as cited in Adrian Rogers, “The Prince of Peace,” in Adrian Rogers Sermon Archive (Signal Hill, CA: Rogers Family Trust, 2017), Is 9:6–7.)

Isaiah 9 speaks of a great light that has dawned upon a people walking in darkness, prophesying the coming of a Messiah who will establish peace, justice, and righteousness forever. It reminds us that despite the darkness of our circumstances, we can find peace through Christ. It encourages us to trust in His promises and to seek His peace in our lives, especially during the turbulent times of life.

The prophecy of Isaiah 9:2-7 not only anticipates the birth of Christ but also highlights His role as the bringer of peace and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan throughout Scripture, cnnecting the Old Testament promises to their New Testament realization in Jesus. In a world filled with chaos and confusion, Christ offers us true peace as our light in the darkness, fulfilling the promises of God that we can live in trust and hope. Isaiah 9:2-7, in four ways shows us the Peace of Christ: A Light in the Darkness through: 1) Proclaiming the Light of Peace (Isaiah 9:2), 2) Promising Peace from Joy (Isaiah 9:3-4), 3) Preparing for Lasting Peace (Isaiah 9:5), and finally: 4) Presenting the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7).

The Peace of Christ: A Light in the Darkness is first seen through:

1) Proclaiming the Light of Peace (Isaiah 9:2)

Isaiah 9:2. The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. (ESV)

The people are described here as those who walked in darkness because the northern tribes had rejected David’s dynasty in favor of Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:1–20). They dwelt in a land of deep darkness because of captivity when in 733 B.C., Tiglath-pileser III besieged Damascus, invaded the region of Galilee, including Zebulun and Naphtali, and incorporated it into his kingdom (2 Kings 15:29) in fulfillment of God’s Word. “Gloom” and “distress” result from oppression and separation from Yahweh’s covenantal love. In verse 2, following the lead of the previous verse, explains why there will be no gloom where in fact the darkness had been absolute. They have seen a great light because with the suddenness of dawn (cf. 60:1) comes the announcement that light has appeared to these people. They did not produce it nor are they responsible for it. Where they had been groping in darkness, or sitting in the land of death’s shadow, they suddenly find themselves blinking in the light. Throughout the Bible, God’s presence is equated with light (42:16; 2 Sam. 22:29; Job 29:3; Ps. 139:11, 12; 1 John 1:5). So here, there is light for these people because their sin and rebellion are not enough to keep God from manifesting himself to them. True, they could not continue to choose their sin and have the light, but if they wished to be freed from their sin, nothing could prevent God’s light from shining, as it, in fact, has in Jesus. Jesus is light, and we need Him because the world is such a dark place. … The world understands its problems and analyzes them incessantly and understands them extremely well but cannot find the solution to them. That’s why the world is a dark place. (Timothy J. Keller, The Timothy Keller Sermon Archive (New York City: Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2013).)