Typically, we don’t think of this second week of Advent as a time for confession, but with its theme of peace, we begin to realize that we won’t be at peace with God if we’re harboring guilt, grudges, or ill will of any kind.
Confession and repentance clear the conscience and honor God with a peace offering or sacrifice of obedience. However, nothing we do or say will result in the lasting peace which comes through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
As Isaiah 9:6 prophesied, “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,” King James Version (KJV.)
With the coming of Jesus – the long-awaited Prince of Peace – angels filled the sky with His birth announcement: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,” Luke 2:14, KJV.
As Jesus grew up and into His ministry, one of His earliest teachings gave us this word, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God,” Matthew 5:9, KJV. Clearly, God’s children are to make peace – the kind of peace that seeks harmony, unity, and the well-being of others and ourselves.
When Jesus’ earthly ministry came time to end, He comforted His followers with these words, “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 14:27, KJV.
Jesus went on to say, “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,” John 16:33, KJV.
Jesus Christ does indeed have the power to overcome the world! He even overcame His own death, and with that sacrifice of peace, He also overcame death for us.
When the Risen Lord appeared to His followers who had gathered in the Upper Room, He said, “Peace be unto you,” John 20:19. With few exceptions, such as His mother, these were the very people who had abandoned Him at the cross, so His words of comfort might have been the last thing they expected to hear! “Then said Jesus to them again, ‘Peace be unto you: as My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you‘,” John 20:21, KJV.
Those first followers not only received the peace of Christ’s forgiveness, but they also received His authority to go forth in His Spirit, spreading the peace of God. As we honor God and receive His Holy Spirit, we, too, can become makers and spreaders of peace throughout the world, going forth in the power of Jesus’ Name.
Amen.
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