Advent 2021 - Week 2
Jesus, Our Peace
As we continue going through this Advent season, this week we’ll be reflecting on the biblical meaning of peace and find out how this gift from Jesus came to us and to this world.
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
—John 14:27
I. Pause to be still
As I enter prayer now, I pause to be still; to breathe slowly; to re-center my scattered senses upon the presence of God.
O day of peace that dimly shines
Through all our hopes and prayers and dreams
Guide us to justice, truth and love
Delivered from our selfish schemes
May swords of hate fall from our hands
Our hearts from envy find release
Till by God's grace our warring world
Shall see Christ promised reign of peace
Then shall the wolf dwell with the lamb
Nor shall the fierce devour the small
As beasts and cattle calmly graze
A little child shall lead them all
Then enemies shall learn to love
All creatures find their true accord
The hope of peace shall be fulfilled
For all the earth shall know the Lord
pRAYER OF APPROACH
Sweet Jesus, as I run the race today, I fix my eyes on You, and in all you went through so I could have true peace within me. I hear Your invitation to be still in your presence. I choose to quiet my soul, and trust you; I choose to trust your peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. Come and rule my heart and my mind.
II. Rejoice and reflect
WATCH
THINK
In Scriptures the most basic meaning of peace (shalom in Hebrew; eirene in Greek) is complete, whole and restore.
Jesus said “My peace I give you to you all”. In other words, Jesus was saying: “I am Peace, and I am going to give my life for you so you may have it within you”. Through His death at the cross, resurrection and ascension to heavens He made peace between a broken humanity and God (Romans 5:1-2). In this way Jesus restored to wholeness the broken relationship between humans and their Creator.
For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
—Ephesians 2:14-22
Now that Peace lives within us, we are called to create peace. Jesus in us enables us, through Him, to do that. That’s why Paul instructed local churches to keep their unity through the bond of peace, which requires humility and patience, and bearing with others in love.
Becoming people of peace means participating in the life and sufferings of Jesus, who reconciled all things in heaven, on earth, restoring peace through His death, resurrection and ascension.
True peace requires taking what is broken–in our lives, relationships or in our world– and restoring it to wholeness, which naturally takes a lot of work.
Shalom, or peace, is not only the absence of conflict but the presence of connection and completion.
—The Bible Project
Discuss
Who and what do we need in order to experience shalom—connection and a sense of completion?
Think
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!–Isaiah 9:6-7
The prophet Isaiah looked forward to the arrival of the Prince of Peace. His reign would lead to eternal shalom. When Jesus is born shalom is proclaimed. He is the King who brings peace and restoration to the broken in our world.
Discuss
Based on this passage, how does the Prince of Peace govern his Kingdom?
How can you help bring about God’s peaceful rule in the places where you have influence?
READ
On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him.Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
—Luke 8:40-48
In this passage, we see how a woman found shalom in the midst of a chaotic situation. As soon as she touched Jesus, she was made whole. Jesus recognized her faith in him and said, “go in peace,” or in other words, “continue to live in this whole and healed state.”
In this story, the woman needed physical restoration and wholeness. But wholeness, or lack of it, can affect other parts of our being as well. Where there is fragmentation in any part of our being, there is a wound of some kind, and it is a place where we need shalom to be restored.
Discuss
Where do you need shalom to be restored in your body, soul, or spirit?
Where does shalom need to be restored in your community?
Jot down a list of your answers as a petition to God, and then circle one thing on the list. Prayerfully consider what practical steps you or your community can take to bring connection and completion to that one fragmented place.
III. Ask God for help
Every day holds potential for growth, hope and potential flourishing.
Jesus, help me to come with You to a quiet place. I confess I find it hard sometimes to trust you by laying it all down, and give up control. I acknowledge that’s one of the primary reasons why so many times I don’t enjoy Your peace. “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief.” Thanks that You come with me, that You are always with me.
Pause and present your requests to Him.
IV. Yield to His Will in your life
As we prepare our hearts to celebrate Jesus’ arrival as a gift to all humanity and the world, let’s stir up in our hearts and homes a sense of peace. Over this Advent, we pray that Peace would rise up in our spirits, souls and hearts in a tangible and life-giving way.
Yielding Prayer
Jesus, You are the Prince of Peace. You lead me besides still waters and green pastures. Ana even though I walk through the darkest of the valleys, there You’ll be with me, and i’ll enjoy rest and peace. You truly restore my soul. You laid down your life for me and every single human being on Earth, sacrificially giving Yourself away again and again. Today, I yield myself to You and Your guidance, and will.
Yielding promise
And now, as I prepare to take this time of prayer into the coming day, the Lord who loves me says:
My divine power has given you everything you need for a godly life through your knowledge of Me who called you by my own glory and goodness. —2 Peter 1:3
I will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Me, all whose thoughts are fixed on Me! — Isaiah 26:3
The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. —Psalm 37:11
Behold, I will heal your wounds and reveal to you the abundance of peace and truth. —Jeremiah 33:6
Closing Prayer
Father, help me to live this day to the full, being true to You, in every way.
Jesus, help me to give myself away to others, being kind to everyone I meet.
Spirit, help me to love the lost, proclaiming Christ in all I do and say.
Amen.
Want more?
The First Coming of the Messiah — Part II
READ
26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, 27 to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. 28 Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”
29 Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 30 “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
34 Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”
35 The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. 36 What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. 37 For the word of God will never fail.”
38 Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.
—Luke 1:26-38
LISTEN
Peace (Mary) by Poor Bishop Hooper
Angel Gabriel listen in
There’s a perfect message stirring
Not for one of us used to the light
But for one who has to squint her eyes in the sunshine
You’ve probably dreamed of a moment like this
Heard the others betting on specifics
Today's the day we’ve all been waiting
Infinite before infinite after
And you get to be the one to turn the page on the next chapter
So go and tell the girl I show you
She’ll have dirt beneath her nails
A gentle voice that sounds like singing
Even when her patience fails
Her grip is strong but she’s quick to lend
Her knees are worn but her zeal’s not broken
These are the joints that I have chosen to hold
The greatest gift I’ll ever give
When you find her won't you say these words
When you find her won't you say
Do not be afraid for
You have found this day girl
Favor with the lord like
No one else before you
You shall have a son and
He shall be the One that
Tramples over death in
The name of God above
You will call him Jesus
He’ll be called the greatest
On the throne of David
Through the house of Jacob
And his kingdom will have no end
His kingdom will have no end
And his peace will be everlasting
His peace will be everlasting...