Introduction

Good morning, dear friends. It's a joy to be here with you today. We gather in this sacred space, hearts open, ready to receive God's word. We are here to find comfort, to find hope, to find peace.

As we begin, let's turn our hearts and minds to the words of the prophet Isaiah. He wrote, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6).

In the New Testament, we see these words echoed in the accounts of Matthew and Luke. Matthew writes of Jesus saying, "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household." (Matthew 10:34-36).

Luke, on the other hand, gives us the story of the shepherds who heard the angels proclaim, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:8-14).

These passages may seem contradictory at first glance. Peace, strife, favor, division - how do they fit together? Today, we will seek to understand these seemingly contrasting images of peace and conflict in the life and ministry of Jesus.

In the words of Thomas Watson, "If God be our God, He will give us peace in trouble. When there is a storm without, He will make peace within. The world can create trouble in peace, but God can create peace in trouble." We may not fully grasp the depth of God's word in one sitting, but we can trust that His peace is more satisfying than any human issues.

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we come before you today with open hearts and minds. We are eager to hear Your word and to understand Your truth. We ask that Your Holy Spirit guide us as we reflect on the life and ministry of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to see the peace that He brings in the midst of our struggles and conflicts. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Prince of Peace. Amen.

Let's begin.

Peace from the Manger

We find ourselves in the humble setting of a manger. The birthplace of Jesus, our Savior. This is where our story begins. The manger, a simple structure meant to feed animals, becomes the cradle of the Prince of Peace. This is no ordinary child. His birth is announced by a heavenly host proclaiming peace on earth.

A peace that transcends human understanding: It's a peace that doesn't depend on our circumstances or our surroundings. It's a peace that comes from knowing that God is with us. The baby in the manger is Immanuel, God with us. His presence brings peace.

A peace that takes action: It's a peace that steps into our messy, broken world and says, "I am here. I am with you." It's a peace that reaches out to the outcast, the forgotten, the lost, and says, "You are seen. You are known. You are loved." This is the peace that Jesus brings.

The shepherds in the field: They were the first to hear this good news. They were not the powerful or the privileged. They were ordinary people, doing ordinary work. Yet, they were chosen to receive the extraordinary message of peace. This tells us something about the nature of God's peace. It's not reserved for the elite or the exceptional. It's available to everyone, regardless of status or circumstance.

The angels' message to the shepherds was clear: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." This peace is a gift from God, a sign of His favor. It's not something we earn or achieve. It's something we receive. It's a gift of grace.

Not just for us individually: It's for our communities, our nations, our world. The birth of Jesus marked the beginning of a new era, an era of peace. His life, death, and resurrection would fulfill the promise of the angels' proclamation. Through Him, peace would come to all people.

Not without cost: The baby in the manger would grow up to be the man on the cross. The Prince of Peace would give His life to bring peace. His sacrifice would make a way for us to be reconciled to God, to each other, and to ourselves. This is the ultimate expression of God's peace.

Christ, Our Good Shepherd

As we continue to reflect on the life and ministry of Jesus, we find ourselves drawn to the image of Christ as our Good Shepherd ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO