"Everlasting Father" (Isaiah 9:6)

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Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

“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 … Everlasting Father …” (Isaiah 9:6).

Through these Advent midweeks, we have been going over the four titles of Jesus from Isaiah 9:6. 

 

We have learned that Jesus is the “Wonderful Counselor,” as He gave God’s counsel about our sin and His death on the cross for our salvation, which is foolishness to those who refuse to believe Him and His counsel. But for us who have been saved, the Holy Spirit has given us faith to rejoice in Jesus’ counsel as the power of God for our salvation.

 

We also learned that Jesus is “Mighty God.” Jesus is no mere human being. If He was just a mere human, then He could not have been our Savior and then we are still under the curse of our sins. Thanks be to God that Jesus is “Mighty God” who took upon Himself our human flesh to suffer and die on the cross in our place of punishment and then three days later conquered the power of death for us by His bodily resurrection.

 

Tonight, we will focus on the third title given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6: “Everlasting Father.” You may have no issue with understanding “Wonderful Counselor” and “Mighty God”, but this third title can be a challenge. Afterall, Jesus is the Son of God, not God the Father. So, let’s focus on the word “Father.”

 

Scripture teaches us that there is only one God who exists in three distinct persons – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is the divine mystery known as the Holy Trinity.

 

Even though Jesus is One with the Father, He is not the Father Himself. Jesus and the Father are two distinct Persons who are unified as One God with the Holy Spirit.

 

So, what does Isaiah mean when he says that Jesus will be called “Everlasting Father”?

 

Well, by that word “Father” Isaiah means that Jesus has made us His people and rules over us like a loving father.

 

Think of it this way. Sometimes people refer to George Washington as the “father” of our nation. They don’t mean that Washington is the literal father, but that he helped found the United States and he ruled over us as our first president. In a similar way, the word “father” describes the fact that Jesus rules over us and all creation with authority and power, above every name that is named. The government – both spiritual and temporal – is upon His shoulder.

 

In Colossians 1, God’s Word says, “[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15-16).

 

So, the One conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary is the Creator of all things and He rules over all things!

 

Now, this is very good news for us who believe in Jesus as our Savior from sin, death, and eternal damnation! You see, the title “Father” reminds us that Jesus made us to be new creations by saving us from our sins and reconciling us back to God. Also, this title “Father” teaches us that Jesus rules over all things – even when it appears that evil people have all the power in this fallen world.

 

It may appear that Jesus has no power or control at all when we pay attention to the news on tv, radio, internet or podcasts. It appears more like evil people keep getting away with evil: injustice, chaos, misery, and death.

 

But during such times, we must always remember that Jesus is in control even when circumstances seem to call that into question. You see, Jesus has always been in control – even when He was an infant in the womb of the virgin Mary.

 

So, just like children don’t always understand what their father does, we don’t always understand why Jesus rules in the way He does.

 

Nevertheless, Jesus promises to work in all things – even in trials and suffering – to bring about good for His people and glory for His Kingdom. 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, nothing happens apart from Jesus’ will, and He will save all who repent of their sin and cling to Him. Jesus is your Savior-King, and He rules you as a loving father.

 

But what about that first word of tonight’s title – “Everlasting”? What does “Everlasting” mean? Well, “Everlasting” reminds us that Jesus is not just one more earthly ruler whose reign begins at some point in history and then ends at some point in history.

 

In Micah 5, God’s Word says: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me the One who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2).

 

So, what does this mean? The Prophet Micah is saying that the future Savior who will be born in Bethlehem already exists! This Promised Savior exists before He is born! How can this be? Micah answers that too! Jesus is the eternal Son of God from ancient days!

 

Jesus is not like the rulers of earthly governments whose reigns have a beginning and then come to an end. Jesus is the eternal Creator! He is the Everlasting Father! His rule never ends!

 

Isaiah writes: “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 forever more” (Isaiah 9:7).

 

What Isaiah is saying is that there was never a time when Jesus was not in control. So, even when Jesus was lying in a manger; even when Jesus was hanging on the cross, He was still the “Everlasting Father.”

 

Jesus – eternal God – became man and was born to save us from our sins. Through faith in Him, we are cleansed from our guilt, and we are at peace with God. 

 

Even though sin and evil abound all around us, Jesus is still the Everlasting Father! Jesus still rules His Kingdom! And one day, He will return in visible power and glory! Everyone will see that Jesus is the “Everlasting Father” – even those heathens who thought they were in control. On that day, we, who are in Christ, will rejoice that we get to live forever as citizens of Jesus’ Kingdom where there will be no more sin, and what it begets: pain and death.

 

Until that day of Christ’s coming, we live by faith – faith in God’s Word. Today, Jesus’ present reign as “Everlasting Father” is hidden from those who refuse to trust God’s Word. But for you and me who trust God’s Word, we can be sure that Jesus is the “Everlasting Father”!

 

On the Epiphany of Our Lord, the Magi traveled from the East to worship the “Everlasting Father” who was being held by the virgin Mary. How could this toddler be the “Everlasting Father” – the eternal Creator and Ruler of all things? For as the angel said to Mary, “Nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). Like the Magi, we believe what we cannot see or understand.

 

You see, each time you receive the Lord’s Supper at the Divine Service, the Everlasting Father gives you His own body and blood to assure you that your sins are forgiven, and you are given strength for your weak faith. We don’t understand how, but He does it!

 

Tonight, God’s Word has assured you that Jesus is the “Everlasting Father” and that you are a citizen in His eternal Kingdom of mercy, love, and life. You can leave this place – Prince of Peace Lutheran Church – and now serve the Lord with your lives knowing that Jesus is the “Everlasting Father” and that you are secure in His hands. Amen!

 

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +

"Mighty God" (Isaiah 9:6)

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Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

“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 … Mighty God …” (Isaiah 9:6).

 

Last week, we learned about the first title given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6: “Wonderful Counselor.”Jesus was given that title because He spoke with authority. He spoke with authority because He was speaking as God Himself! Jesus’ counsel is wonderful because His teaching is the very teaching of God. Again, this is why it is so important for us Christians to hear, read, study, believe, and trust Holy Scripture. As Jesus says in John 8, “If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

 

Tonight, we will focus on the second title given to Jesus: “Mighty God.”

 

Back when Jesus physically walked on this earth – as He performed healings and miracles – there were many people who refused to believe that Jesus was God in human flesh. Well, in 2024, not much has changed. Today, we find people celebrating Christmas with the gifting of presents, but they refuse to believe that Jesus is God. However, if we take Scripture seriously, we cannot avoid the fact that the Child born of Mary is Mighty God!

 

Some today, who get their theology from 15-second social-media “theologians”, try to say that the original Hebrew for “Mighty God” should be translated as “great hero,” which implies that this Child born of Mary would only be a famous man – but only a man. If this is the case, we have some serious problems.

 

First, we already know that the Child born of the virgin would be called “Immanuel,” which means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14).

 

Secondly, the original Hebrew of “Mighty God” can’t be translated as “great hero.” Why is that? Well, Scripture interprets Scripture. And this original Hebrew אֵ֣ל גִּבֹּ֔ור (El Gibbor) just so happens to be found in other places in the Old Testament. And each of those other cases אֵ֣ל גִּבֹּ֔ור (El Gibbor) refers to God Himself and not some human who happens to be a “great hero.”

§  In Deuteronomy 10:17, אֵ֣ל גִּבֹּ֔ור (El Gibbor) shows up, which reads: “For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.”

 

§  In Jeremiah 32:18, אֵ֣ל גִּבֹּ֔ור (El Gibbor) again shows up, which reads: “O Great and mighty God, whose name is the LORD of hosts…”

 

§  In Isaiah 10:21, אֵ֣ל גִּבֹּ֔ור (El Gibbor) pops up a third time, which reads: “A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God.”

 

So, based on Scriptural evidence, אֵ֣ל גִּבֹּ֔ור (El Gibbor) can only mean “Mighty God.” This Child born of the virgin will be called “Mighty God” because He is the very Son of God in human flesh.

 

In fact, John 1 stresses this point: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:1-3).

 

What John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is teaching here is the divine mystery known as the Trinity as God exists as three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

So, Jesus, the Son of God, was with the Father and the Holy Spirit “in the beginning” – before creation.

 

A few verses later, John writes: “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Here, John is alluding to the fact that the Son of God took on human flesh in the womb of the virgin Mary. The eternal Mighty God became what He wasn’t through the Incarnation.

 

In John 5, as we heard tonight, Jesus was performing miracles on the Sabbath, a day when God’s people were supposed to rest from their work so they could focus on God’s work for them in worship. But Jesus says that He must work on the Sabbath. Why would He say that? He said it because He must work on the Sabbath because as God He upholds all creation.

 

Then there were others who refused to believe in Jesus because they were not children of God. To that, Jesus said that all Old Testament believers – including the father of Israel, Abraham – believed in Jesus and looked forward to His coming.

 

When the unbelieving Jews heard this, they said, “How could Abraham have known You? Abraham lived and died hundreds of years before you were born!” To that, Jesus said, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58). By these words, Jesus is teaching that He is the eternal Son of God in human flesh.

 

So, why am I stressing the point that Jesus is “Mighty God”? It’s because He was and still is God in the flesh. But Satan does not want you to believe this fact that Jesus is “Mighty God.”

 

You see, if Jesus was only a man, then He could not be the Savior. Scripture teaches that only God Himself can save us from sin, death, and the devil.

 

In Genesis 3, God said that the woman would give birth to a Son who would crush the power of the devil (Genesis 3:15). But only God can crush the power of the devil. So, the Child born of the woman would have to be God Himself in human flesh.

 

But how would God’s Son crush the devil? God’s Son would crush the devil by allowing Himself to be crushed by our sin so that we might be saved from the death and eternal hell that we each deserve. No mere human could pay for the sin of all. Only God Himself could do that!

 

So, if God Himself was not hanging on that cross, then you are still under the curse of your sins and you are still a slave of the devil. No wonder the devil does not want you to believe that Jesus is “Mighty God.”

 

Just think about it! All who deny that Jesus is God either have to deny the reality of sin or they have to try to deal with their sin themselves. But both options are based on a lie to keep us from receiving salvation from the “Mighty God”!

 

Sometimes we are tempted to deny that our sin is a big deal. We are all guilty of this. But if we really believe that Jesus is God and that He is always with us, then we would not be so comfortable with our sin.

 

But sometimes we do get comfortable with our sin! Why do we do this? Maybe it’s because we think Jesus was just a man who lived in the past. Why should we worry about what some dead guy thinks about our sin? But the reality is that Jesus lives and He is with us! So, we better take our sins seriously because Jesus is Mighty God and He sees all.

 

On the other hand, maybe we do take our sins seriously, but we foolishly think we can deal with our sins ourselves. Maybe we think that we can make up for our sins if we only do a good works to impress God.

When we do think like this, we don’t realize that our sins in fact deserve God’s present and eternal punishment. We don’t realize that only God Himself can save us from our sins and that He did this by dying on the cross for us.

 

So, when we try to deal with sin ourselves rather than repenting, trusting, and clinging to Jesus, we show that we actually deny that Jesus is Mighty God who came to die on the cross for our sins.

 

But the Good News for us tonight is that God has used His Word to rescue us from Satan’s lies! Tonight, God has taught you that the Child born of the virgin Mary is Mighty God, the One who hung on the cross, crucified for your sins – including your sin of forgetting that Jesus is Mighty God in the flesh and that He is with you always to the end of the age. Jesus is Mighty God and He forgives you – and if the Mighty God forgives you, Satan has no claim on you.

 

Jesus is Mighty God, and He claimed you as His own at your Baptism where He put His name on you and washed you from the guilt of your sin by the power of His divine blood.

 

Jesus is Mighty God, and He nurtures your faith in Him as He teaches you with His Word.

 

Jesus is Mighty God, and He gives you His own body and blood in the Lord’s Supper to assure you that your sins are forgiven and that your Mighty God is with you!

 

Jesus is Mighty God, and He will help you to live as His child in this world.

 

Jesus is Mighty God, and He will give you eternal life in His love when He returns in power and glory. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!

 

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +

"The King is Coming" (Luke 19:28-40)

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Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38).

 

Click, clop. Click, clop. Click, clop.

 

Our Lord Jesus was a walker. Practically everywhere He went during His earthly ministry, He went by foot. I’m sure it would have been before noon each day that He would have achieved His 10,000 daily step count.

 

But this time, this day, for this trip, for this short journey, Jesus does something different. He rides. This is the only time we know of that He rode instead of walking, or by traveling by boat.

 

Now, Jesus isn’t riding because of the distance. Afterall, He had already walked thousands of miles on His way to Jerusalem. And this wasn’t even the the hardest part of His journey. If it was, Jesus could have, just as well, rented a donkey at Jericho to make the 14-mile steep uphill climb to Jerusalem easier. But He didn’t. He walked that steep climb. 

 

No, riding a donkey for this one time was not for comfort, or convenience, or even transportation. So, why did Jesus ride a donkey? Why did Jesus arrange to be mounted and ride these last couple miles when His feet had served Him well enough to get Him to Jerusalem?

 

Jesus rides – because He is King. Here He comes entering Jerusalem to the click, clop, click, clop. Jesus enters Jerusalem upon a donkey to announce His rule to all who have eyes to see. Jesus rides into Jerusalem because this is His city. Jesus rides into Jerusalem because these are His people. Jesus arrives as the saving and liberating King of Israel. Jesus is coming to accomplish what His Kingly rule is all about. Jesus is coming to die. Jesus is coming to save us from our sins. We know what will happen just days later. But not many people knew that on that Sunday in Jerusalem.

 

Yes, they knew – or at least heard of – the miracles of Jesus. And most recently, the word of Lazarus’ resurrection had certainly spread. They even know enough to call Jesus “King” without really understanding what kind of a King He would be.

 

Today, we begin the season of Advent, which means “coming.” Your King is coming. Today, we will look at how Christ the King comes.

 

Firstly, Jesus the King came. He came to earth for us and for our salvation down from heaven. The Second Person of the Trinity became Man by the Holy Spirit and was born of the virgin Mary. He lowered Himself by becoming man to live our life. He, who knew no sin, came to take upon Himself our sins as He lowered Himself to be baptized with a sinner’s baptism by John. He came to preach repentance and the forgiveness of sins. He came to lead all people to Himself. He came for thismoment, this time, as He rode into Jerusalem upon a donkey to die. He came as the sinless Lamb of God to be slaughtered, as the single sacrifice for sins (Hebrews 10:12).

 

We begin the Advent season as Christ enters Jerusalem. He enters Jerusalem to fulfill why He came in the first place: to suffer and die as the propitiation for yours and my sins. He came to regain yours and my favor with God the Father. For there was no other way. He came to save.

 

Everything led to this moment. Jesus “sent two of the disciples, saying, ‘Go into the village in front of you, where on entering you will find a colt tied, on which no one else ever sat. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you shall say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’” (Luke 19:29b-31). 

 

They brought the donkey colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it and mounted Jesus upon it. As Jesus rode along, they spread their cloaks on the road. Picture it this way. As Jesus enters Jerusalem, onlookers spontaneously join in. They spread their cloaks onto the road for Jesus to ride over. And as Jesus walks over the cloaks, the cloaks are picked up in the rear and laid down again in front of Jesus. It’s like that classic cross country run known as an “Indian run” when the runner sprints from the rear to the front of the pack continuously, but this time it is cloaks – and palms!

 

And the crowd roars! “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38).

 

Now, did the crowd understand what they were chanting? Maybe. But most likely not. Most expected the Messiah to liberate Israel from the Romans. Most expected some sort of a temporary earthly king to restore the nation of Israel to its former glory – the glory of King David, when nobody dared mess with them.

 

However, Jesus did give them a big clue on who He truly is. You see, the whole manner of His coming was to eliminate all political and nationalistic ideas. You see, Jesus didn’t come mounted as a military hero upon a warhorse. A way they would expect. Jesus came mounted upon a humble donkey. A way they would not expect. He came as the long-expected Messiah-King, who would suffer and die for their sins, so they would be reconciled to God the Father.

 

From the shouts of “Hosanna!” to the shouts of “Crucify Him!” Jesus came to reconcile us back to God the Father! On that Friday, the King would be crowned with thorns. He would be mocked. He would be crucified and die. He would be buried. But three days later, the crucified King bodily rose from the dead. He would appear to hundreds. He would bodily ascend into heaven and sit at the right hand of God the Father with all power and glory and dominion.

 

Now that the King is risen and ascended, He comes to us in a different way. Afterall, He says, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b).

 

Secondly, today, Christ the King comes to us in a way we would not expect – through His Means of Grace. Click, clop. Click, clop. Step by step, Jesus draws nearer. The King is coming as He strides on and on over the earth wherever two or three are gathered in His name and His Word is rightly preached and His Sacraments are rightly administered. Step by step, He reveals greater majesty, grace, and glory.

 

Jesus once came in lowliness mounted upon a donkey. Today, He comes in lowliness and meekness as He wraps Himself and His grace up now in the Word, which we hear, and in the visible elements of the Sacraments.

 

Through His Means of Grace – His Word and Sacraments – He now puts and sows His grace into our hearts. In His Means of Grace, Jesus, the King, is present as true God and true man. As often as we hear His Word and His Sacraments are rightly administered, Jesus makes His appearance. Through these Means, the King comes into the souls of His believers. Even though He enters our hearts concealed through lowly signs: the Bible, His preaching, water, bread and wine, our Holy Spirit-given faith still recognizes Him!

Jesus, our King, comes to hear our pleas for mercy as He graciously forgives yours and my sins. Jesus, our King, comes in the name of the Lord as the One who creates, nourishes, and sustains our faith in Him, so that we may abound in His love.

 

As much as we appreciate our King’s coming through His Means of Grace – His Word and Sacraments – Jesus is only coming to us concealed under those Means. For we long for more! We wish to see Jesus in all His splendor and glory! We wish to see His scars and hear His loving voice.

 

Behold, the King is coming! Click, clop. Click, clop.

 

Lastly, Jesus tells us: “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves, people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” … “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap” (Luke 21:25-27, 34).

 

On the day of His final coming, Christ the King, the One who created the world, who redeemed and restored the world, who forgives our sins and strengthens our faith in His Means of Grace, will return no longer lowly upon a donkey or concealed through Means, but He will come with all power and glory to judge the world as He descends from the clouds.

 

On that great and glorious day, Jesus will come as our King to set all things right. And we will endure to see that day as we are spiritually fed through His Means of Grace. 

 

As we begin this Advent season, always remember that the King has come as He has defeated the powers of sin, death, and hell for us upon the cross, the King is here concealed in His Means of Grace and the King is coming again in all His glory!

 

May Christ the King always comfort you, strengthen you, and sanctify you with His grace! Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!

 

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, 
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +

Sermon for Advent Midweek 3: "Our Peace Rests on Him Alone" (Isaiah 9:1-7)

Grace, mercy, and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Amen! Dear brothers and sisters in Christ:

 

When we are young, wrapping paper on a gift means nothing. Bows are made to be thrown away and paper is made to be torn in a second. Ripping open that box and getting to the gift inside is our goal.

 

But when we are older, we pause over the wrapping paper and the bow. If it’s a child’s first attempt to wrap a gift, we admire how well he did and how secure it’s all taped. He must have used half a roll of tape to make sure it stayed together. Or, if the wrapping is a true work of art, tell them that he has outdone himself this year. It’s almost too perfect to open. The gift inside is important, but at first, we can pause to appreciate the wrapping. But as we age, we may attempt to open that gift wrapping a bit slower in hopes of re-using it next year.

 

In this third midweek of Advent, we pause to appreciate the wrapping of the gift of the Prince of Peace. He comes wrapped both in beauty and in darkness. He is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. That’s the wrapping of glory and greatness we expect when God gives us His Son. But He also comes with the simple wrapping of a manger quietly hidden underneath the Christmas star that speaks of peace to those with ears to hear.

 

By now, you have your plans for Christmas set in place. December 25 is so close that you can’t be guessing and wishing anymore. It’s Monday. But you still need to plan. Who is coming to your house for Christmas? When are they getting there? Is everyone staying with you? What are you eating? How are you going to balance everyone’s particular diet? Remember, everyone invited to your table will be sitting for the same meal. This takes some planning.

 

Of course, all this depends on you getting them to the same table at the same time. You’ve got the guests who always come a half hour early and then there are the ones who think that 1:00 p.m. means 3:30 p.m. And don’t forget what happened last time Cousin Sue sat next to Uncle Frank. So, plan your seating chart carefully.

 

Christmas can call for control. Maybe peace can come if we can get these people into the right place and at the right time. It’s a bit like the circus master who directs jugglers, acrobats, lions, dogs, and elephants. 

 

If everyone would only listen and do what you tell them, there would be peace. This is the hope of every grandmother who plans Christmas dinner for the whole family. Control is the theme of our peace tonight. 

 

Tonight, we finish the points on our star. We’ve been pursuing peace. Our first point at the top of the star was the pursuit of more possessions. If only we could get all we dream of, we would have peace. But God stops us with the gift of a baby born in a stable. With Him laid in the manger, we have more than enough, and we can find peace. Last week, we sought peace in the two horizontal points of the star. We were looking for peace in distance. If only we could get away to that perfect retreat. Or if only we could get away from our past, then we would find peace. But again, God catches us and gives us peace in the present. Our peace is not in a distant retreat but in this very moment. God’s peace is present even when the storm is still here. 

So tonight, we have the last two points of our star. These are the bottom points where the weight rests. To manage all that weight and all our plans, we need to take control. And if we had that control, then there could be peace. Wouldn’t it be reasonable that God would help us in this? God should want us all to get along and get through at least one weekend in peace. 

 

After all, isn’t that the very name by which we know the Messiah, the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)? Wouldn’t it be fitting that the celebration of His birth would be celebrated in peace? We can hear this call for peace in the inspired writer to the Hebrews: “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). Through the Holy Spirit, Paul also gives clear direction: “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18).

 

Can we bring enough control over our world so we have this peace? Getting everyone to follow our plans can be the second of the two bottom points of the star. Control of others can become our purpose. When we are so busy getting ready for Christmas, we might ask ourselves, “Why am I doing all this? It takes a lot of work to get ready for Christmas. Why bother?” If you’re wondering that yourself, it’s time to find peace and purpose. What will be enough to give us meaning in all that has yet to be done before Christmas? Find that, and we imagine that we will have our peace.

 

But God stops our search for control and purpose. Peace is not in our tight grasp over others. Peace is not in our plans. Peace comes only through the Prince of Peace. 

 

It’s His kingdom that brings peace and His work as the Wonderful Counselor and Mighty God that gives order to our world. If we seek that peace of control, Jesus shows us another control. 

 

In Matthew 10, Jesus asks if we expect Him to bring peace. He says that He came to bring not peace but a sword. He came to set two against three, three against two. He came to divide family members one against another. This is the very opposite of our goals of control and outward peace. 

 

We want the peace that comes from getting everyone to agree with us. But what brings peace to the world? Only Jesus brings true peace. Jesus brings peace by stepping into the middle of our troubled world and letting Himself be the center of the world’s anger. In that center, He brings us peace through the cross. Peace has come through what seems to be chaos. 

 

Being the Prince of Peace, His peace has endured thousands of years. Our best plans won’t always make it through one meal, but His peace, like His kingdom, is without end. He comes as the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, and the Everlasting Father so that His peace might reign over the world. This gives us a new purpose and a new peace. The star of peace does not rest on our plans and our control. God’s peace doesn’t come by our control of others. Peace only comes by hearing His Word—the Word that comforts us. The Word that controls us. 

 

We might not be able to corral everyone at the right time and place. Our plans might not be fulfilled. But our real goal is to focus on God’s plans—the plans that have come true.

 

It’s like the story of our gifts. When we were young, we simply wanted the gift. But when we became older, it was the story of the gift that mattered. It was hearing how long someone looked for the right color or size and how the gift was hidden in the back of the closet. The gift was good, but it was the story that was the key. We find God’s gift in the simplicity of the manger and a newborn baby. But the key to peace is hearing the story of how He made our peace. He built it by the straw of the manger and the wood and nails of the cross. He made that peace through the ages of promise and the waiting of His coming. 

The gift of the Prince of Peace came by the perfect planning of God, who arranged the whole world for the birth of His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

 

So, the gift of peace has come through the birth of the Child, the Son of God. The Prince of Peace has come with His gift of peace, and the story of that peace lives on. What will bring you peace when so many of your plans are still undone? We find our peace rests not in our work but in following Him, the Prince of Peace. He filled the manger and the cross. That’s where we find our peace. Peace rests on Him, and we rest in faith in all that He has done for us. Amen.

 

The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.   

+ SOLI DEO GLORIA +