Good News – Peace Has Come!
The angel appeared to the shepherds that night and we read: “The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid”… “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.”” (Luke 2:10-14 NIV)
All 3 angelic appearances that we’ve looked at this December begin the same way:
- The person encountering the angel is terrified
- The angel reassures them with the words ‘do not be afraid’
Maybe we’ve heard this same message over and over for a reason! Maybe you have needed three weeks of “do not fear”! After all the Bible uses a variation of that phrase around 400 times, so it’s an important message. Maybe you have ignored this part of the message for the last two weeks and today it will hit you.
Hear the words again: do not fear. The terrifying things of this life need not cause you fear. God says to you, it’s ok, I am with you. I am here for you. I have my hand over you. You can trust me.
Peace Through Faith: Embracing Jesus' Promise
What peace for those who trust in God! Isn’t this why the angel later said peace to those on whom God’s favour rests? Remember last week, Mary was called ‘favoured’ by God, and we discovered that anyone with faith in God is favoured. Here we learn that those who God favours have peace.
This was, in fact, one of the prophecies about Christ’s birth: Isaiah 9:6-7 says “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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” (Isaiah 9:6–7 NIV)
You want some good news this morning? When Jesus came, he came to bring peace to those who place their faith in God. He came to bring peace to their hearts. He came to bring a way of life that so deeply connects us to God that even life’s difficulties and trials cannot shake our peace! Think again of Lincoln and the peace he found as he soaked in the good news.
On the other hand, without God there is no lasting peace for us. Have you ever heard someone say “there’s no peace for the wicked”? In today’s world we tend to say that as a bit of a joke to people who are busy. But it actually comes from the Old Testament. Through the prophet Isaiah, God was saying that those who repent and come to him will find peace, but those who don’t, won’t find peace: “Peace, peace, to those far and near (who repent and come back to me),” says the LORD. “And I will heal them.” But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud. “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” (Isaiah 57:19–21 NIV11)
Embracing Peace: The Gift of Jesus' Coming
Why was Jesus’ coming good news? Because for those who turn to Him, and find God through Him, there would be peace and healing. But for those who reject him, and try to live their lives apart from him… there would be no peace.
I’ve discovered this personally. I find peace in life when I embrace God. But when I ignore Him? I am restless and in turmoil.
EMBRACE the good news today.
EMBRACE the One born in the manger.
EMBRACE the Prince of Peace! He has come that you and I may have peace deep within.
