“Perfect Peace!” (Isaiah 26:1-19)

Advent Week 2—A Season of Preparation

The second week of Advent is the Candle of Preparation and is characterized by a focus on “peace”. This should not be a surprise if we know how the Old Testament ends in the prophetic writings of Malachi,

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts… Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” (Malachi 3:1; 4:5-6)

Note the emphasis on the peace of relational reconciliation—where the hearts of fathers are turned to their children and vice versa. We see this messenger’s work of preparation in the ministry of John the Baptist.

In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

    make his paths straight.’” (Matt. 3:1-3)

Rather uncharacteristically I spent a while at the beginning of this message discussing how the words translated “Peace” are used in the Bible.

I) Peace: What is it?

There are two main word groups to consider. In the Old Testament, we have the Hebrew word shalom, and in the New Testament, we have the Greek word eirene, both of them in all their forms.

Most Christians are familiar with the word shalom meaning “peace” but often our understanding of the scope of such peace is limited. For westerners, peace often means the absence of war or any active conflict. However, shalom while containing that meaning is broader and more holistic—peace, completeness, soundness, safety/welfare, and health. Shalom primarily signifies peace in the sense of "wholeness": see its use in

•        "unhewn"; an altar of uncut stones (Josh 8:31)
•        "full"; may the Lord grant you a full reward (Ruth 2:12)
•        "finished"; …so the wall was finished on …( Neh 6:15)

Expositor’s Bible Commentary notes that there is a close connection between the title “God of peace” in 1 Thess. 5:23 and the word holokleros, "whole," in that verse.

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Greek word used in the New Testament, eirene, is a very relational word

It describes:

"Harmonious relationships between men, between nations, friendliness, freedom from harm or attack, order, in the State; in the churches, the harmonized relationships between God and man, accomplished through the gospel, the sense of rest and contentment consequent thereon..." [Vines]

We should be aware that "The God of peace" is a title used at least seven times in the New Testament. (Rom 15:33; 16:20; Phil 4:9; 1 Thess. 5:23; Heb. 13:20; 1 Cor 14:33; 2 Cor 13:11).

Let me preface this question with the realization that it sounds very academic but has a very devotional intent. So, what part of speech is peace in our life? Does it function as a noun, a verb, an adjective, or an adverb?

• Noun = is it primarily a thing to be had? 
• Verb = is it primarily an action to be done?
• Adjective =does it mainly describe something or someone?
• Adverb = does it mainly describe the way we do what we do?

I confess that this is a bit of a trick question in that it should be all four—appropriate for such a holistic concept!

• It is a noun to in the sense that Jesus gives it to us. But if it is only a thing to us then perhaps we need to make it more of an action.
• It is an action, but if it is only something we are trying to achieve then maybe we need to slow down a bit and receive it as one would receive a person into a relationship.
• As an adjective, it should describe our life, our home, and our family “so far as it is up to us.” How well does it describe our heart?
• As an adverb, it should describe the way we work, minister, and live our lives. Does it?

If you are like me then you know where you lack this kind of peace in your life, yet that is the very thing that Jesus comes to bring in his advent here! He brings not just peace, but perfect peace!

II) Not Just Peace, but Perfect Peace (Isaiah 26:1-19)

I would suggest reading the whole passage for context, which we did, but our focus was on verses 3-4,

                                        “You keep him

                                  in perfect peace

                                  whose mind is

                      stayed on    you,
   because he trusts in      you.
                      Trust  in the LORD forever,
                               for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

and verse 12,

                                      O LORD,

                          you will ordain peace   for us,
                     for you have indeed done for us

                                                          all our works.

If “peace” (shalom) is an amazingly complete and whole description of the relational, physical, and spiritual welfare of the person or community, then what is “perfect peace?”

The answer is “shalom shalom”! The repetition conveys the idea that this peace is perfect. All that shalom is, is most certainly true about this shalom.

In what context does this promise of God apply to his people? We probably should define a few terms for clarity.

• Keep: God will keep us in the sense of guarding, protecting, and watching over us.
• Mind: yēser, really represents more than the cognitive function represented by the “mind” in western culture. It is deeper and broader encompassing our (physical) form, our soul, and our whole being. “It is widely used in rabbinic writings to express the whole attitude and direction of one’s life.” (EBC)
• Stayed: samach, means steadfast, leaning on, sustained or supported by leaning or laying upon something solid.
• Trusts: batach, to take refuge in, and thus experience the sense of security and well-being of having someone in whom to place your confidence. Interestingly, in the LXX “never translates this “trust” as pisteuo (to believe); but always as elpizo (to hope).” (EBC)

So, when we lean in faith on the Lord (lit. “The Lord the Lord” to go with the “shalom shalom”), hoping in him alone, he keeps us in perfect peace! The expression “everlasting rock” points to the fact that his support and protection will never fail for all eternity. He is the best person to lean on in total trust.

We need to be reminded regularly that If our “mind” is stayed on the Lord, then he has captured my affections as well, and unlike those who do not trust we are able to see his majesty (magnificence, splendor, dignity) at work all around us (v.10). Do we see the glory of God in our daily life?

Verse 12 proclaims the peace that God ordains for us… that he has “indeed done for us all our works.” Salvation, the wall of our protection (v.1), is complete in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. That is peace. To be reconciled with God and each other (Jew and Gentile, male and female)!

Now that we have defined our terms and learned something about how peace is spoken of in the scripture, let me pose the following question. Can someone or something steal your peace? And, if so, then what, or who?

Peace comes from trust in the grace of God. A rather striking example of such trust and the perspective it provides can be found in the Civil War movie, Gods & Generals, when Confederate General Stonewall Jackson was asked by an adjutant,

“General, how is it you can stay so serene… stay so utterly insensible with the storm of shells and bullets raining about your head?”

“Captain Smith, my religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death, I do not concern myself with that; but to always be ready, whenever it may overtake me. That is the way all men should live. That way all men would be equally brave.”

There is some wisdom…be ready for it whenever it comes. Because of what Christ has done for us we can have peace that death is not the end. May our hearts steadfastly trust his great love for us!

III) Our Peace is Different!

The peace we seek—especially at advent—is not the temporary fragile peace of the cessation of human conflict accompanied by physical health and economic prosperity, though aspects of these may be included in the peace we seek. How is our peace different from the world’s peace? Allow me to briefly list a few simple characteristics of Christian peace.

1. This peace is given by God…and is not something we produce in our own efforts.

2. It can’t be taken away by the world, for the world has no authority over it. Jesus said, “Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27) and, “No one will snatch them out of my hand!” (John 10:28-29)

3. This peace is not based on circumstances. If shalom depended on physical health then it would leave in the face of illness or disability. If it was based upon our personal prosperity it would be evicted in the face of bankruptcy. If it was dependent upon our relative security and ease then it would not walk with us through the valley of the shadow of death where the rod and the staff of the Lord himself—not private contractors—must comfort us. So, upon what is true peace based? Let me suggest three interrelated sources of our peace.

• The Gracious Promises of God
• The Loving Presence of God
• The Infinite Power of God

4. How does “perfect peace” benefit us? 

• It preserves/keeps us from being consumed by the physical strain of anxiety and stress.
• It guards our thoughts and emotions in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:7)
• It gives hope for the future (since we now have peace with God) for death is no longer to be feared.
• It makes room for ministry, for who will listen to us talk about the “good news” if we don’t have authentic peace in our lives today?
• The Lord hears our prayers (1 Peter 3:11-12; quoting Psalm 34:14-15)

IV) Jesus Himself is our peace

1.     He is the God of peace (at least 7x)

God is the God of peace (cf. Romans 15:33; 16:20; 2 Cor 13:11; Philippians 4:9; 1Thess 5:23), who is concerned to preserve harmony among his people and protect them from divisive influences. He is able to defeat the adversary who delights to sow discord among Christians. "Peace" connotes the fullest prosperity of the whole man, taking up as it does the OT concept of the Hebrew shalom  It reminds us that it is God in whom all our prosperity is centered. There is no well-rounded life that does not depend on him. (EBC)

Wayne Grudem in his Systematic Theology writes about the God of peace,

Paul says that God’s actions are characterized by peace and not by disorder, confusion, or unrest (akatastasia). He is the God of peace. This doesn’t imply inactivity, for it was at a time of intense growth and activity that Luke could say that “the church throughout all Judea, and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up (Acts 9:31). Furthermore, although God is a God of peace, he is also the one who will neither slumber nor sleep (Ps 121:4). He is a God who is continually working (John 5:17). Thus God’s peace is defined as follows: God’s peace means that in God’s being and in his actions he is separate from all confusion and disorder, yet he is continually active in innumerable well-ordered, fully-controlled, simultaneous actions.  (Grudem, p. 203)

2.     My peace I give to you (John 14:27)

          Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.

                           Not as the world gives do I give to you.

                    Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

3.     In Him we have peace (John 16:33)

I have said these things to you, that in me          you may have peace.

                                                         In the world you will   have tribulation.

         But take heart; I have overcome the world."

4.     He himself is our Peace (Eph. 2:14)

We conclude this section with these two verses,

“For he himself is our peace,

who has made us both one

and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.”

And also,

             “Now may the Lord of peace himself

                                        give you peace at all times in every way.

                                  The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thess 3:16)

V) Embracing Peace in Communion

We took communion together, as we stayed our minds and very beings on the great work of Christ on our behalf.

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20-21)

After we partook, I offered an Advent Prayer of Blessing as we were sent into the world this week:

Dear Church, may you experience the peace of Jesus…that no one can take away from you. May you know that Jesus is Immanuel—God with us. May his relational peace overflow your life to profoundly bless those he has brought near to you. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

A Self-study On “Peace”

• Over the next few days, I encourage you to read the following verses at your own pace (even just 2-3 a day).
• Ask, “What does this verse teach me about peace?” Write down your answer.
• Ask, “How does this affect my life?” Write down your answer.
• Ask the Lord Jesus Christ to fill you with his peace in the Holy Spirit.

1. Numbers 6:22-27
2. Psalm 34:12-14 (also 1 Peter 3:10-12)
3. Psalm 85:8-13
4. Phil 4:4-9
5. Isaiah 9:6-7 
6. Isaiah 48:22
7. Zechariah 9:9-12
8. Luke 1:17 
9. Luke 2:13-14
10. John 14:27   
11. John 16:33   
12. Romans 5:1
13. Romans 8:6-8
14. 1 Cor 14:31-33
15. Gal 5:18-23
16. Eph. 2:13-17            
17. Eph. 4:1-3
18. Col. 1:19-23
19. Col. 3:12-17
20. 2 Thess. 3:16           
21. 2 Tim 2:22
22. Heb. 12:14
23. 2 Peter 3:14
24. James 3:17-18

Pause (Acts 9:28-43)

Peace, Healing, & Resurrection in Christ

After the increasing persecution against the apostles and then the violent outbreak of severe persecution at the death of Stephen, the church was scattered taking the gospel message with them as the Lord had said that they would. Then in Acts 9, we have the account of the conversion of their chief persecutor—Saul of Tarsus (AKA Paul). After time alone in the desert, Saul returned to Damascus and preached boldly about Jesus. Some years later, when he journeyed to Jerusalem and everyone was afraid to trust him, Barnabas broke the ice and introduced Saul/Paul to the apostles and brothers at Jerusalem as one who had seen the Lord and had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. (v.27). Pastor Mark spoke on these events and more in a message last week about “Interruptions.”

This week we are reviewing a few of those verses and finishing Acts 9 with the theme, “Pause.” This passage comes as the transition between two major sections of Acts. Verses 9:28-31 summarize the preceding section and then v. 32-43 change focus from Paul to Peter and set the stage for the major events in Acts 10. It is in this “seam” that we can learn a few things from the “pause.”

1) God’s Plan & Timing are Best (v.28-30)

      So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem,

                preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 

    And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. 

But they were seeking to kill him. 

    And when the brothers learned this,

                         they brought him down to Caesarea

                               and sent him off      to Tarsus.

Here are a few thoughts from this passage:

• Sometimes we can win the battle and lose the war.
• Sometimes we can take upon ourselves a role that the Lord has not assigned. It seems that Paul naturally took up the ministry of Stephen, for whose death he was to some extent responsible. While this seems the honorable thing to do, God had a different plan for Paul…on no less filled with danger and suffering.
• The church didn’t need Saul to end up like Stephen at that time. Great violence had been released, now things were settling down.

This action on the part of the brother was neither compromise, nor cowardice, but caring intervention on behalf of their former enemy.

2) Peace—State of the Church Summary

    So the church

                  throughout all Judea and

                                         Galilee and

                                         Samaria

                        had peace and was being built up.

         And walking in the fear of the Lord

                      and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, 

                     it multiplied.

They had come through intense persecution into a period of relative peace. This would happen many times over the first 300 years of church history. They had benefited from the ministry of the Apostles and others such as Stephen and Philip the evangelist. God was doing his work whether in times of persecution, or times of peace, such as that which they now enjoyed.

A Peaceful Setting

The Lord’s “Pause” Brought…

• Purposeful Peace—instead of being torn down or worn down, this was a time not only of no persecution but of their being built up.
• Spiritual Peace—for they were walking in “the fear of the Lord,” which should be considered a combination of loving obedience and worship. It is an indicator of a greater level of relationship with the Lord.
• Internal Peace—for they were comforted by the Holy Spirit. At this moment they were experiencing greater encouragement from the Lord.
• Missional Peace—the church multiplied. It not only grew spiritually but also grew numerically as people heard the gospel and responded in faith.

What is the state of our church today?

• Are we persecuted or at peace?
• Do we fear the Lord or are we more concerned about something else?
• Do we sense the very real comfort of the Holy Spirit?
• Are we multiplying? Are we growing? I remember a quote from my late pastor (Ron Mehl) back in the late 1970s. When interviewed by the local newspaper and asked about the sudden growth of his church, he said, “I am more concerned about growing big people, not a big church.”

3) Downs & Ups: The Healing of Aeneas

   Now as Peter went here and there among them all,

                he came down also to the saints

                                                          who lived at Lydda.  [Plain of Sharon]

     There he found a man named Aeneas,

                                          bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 

         And Peter said to him,        “Aeneas, 

                   Jesus Christ heals you;

                                                  rise and make your bed.”

                 And immediately he rose. 

                                   And all       the residents of Lydda

                                                                              and Sharon saw him,

                                       and they turned to the Lord.

One of my favorite things about this incident is Peter’s instruction to the man that was healed, “Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” This verse should be well used by parents don’t you think? The man has been bedridden for eight years and Peter tells him to make his bed. I find that hilarious…but also poignant. That season is past, a new season of purpose has come.

When people saw this miracle, they turned to the Lord. How was this different from today? If we saw someone who was paralyzed for 8 years get healed in the name of Jesus, would we “turn to the Lord”? I am not so sure. We have a saying in America that “seeing is believing”, but now that may not be entirely true. Recently on vacation, while standing in a parking lot, my nephew pointed his cellphone camera at me and told me not to move. I thought that he was going to take a picture, but instead he told me that I had a bug on my shoulder.  He was playing “Pokemon Go” and apparently there was a virtual insect on my shoulder that he was trying to capture. It seems that we have become jaded by special effects to the point that when posting photos on Instagram a popular hashtag is #nofilter. If a B-movie like Sharknado can have four or five sequels then we know we don’t really believe what we see.

4) The Resurrection of Dorcas

   Now there was in Joppa     a disciple named Tabitha,

                                                                         which, translated,

                                                               means Dorcas. 

                         She was full of good works and

                                                  acts of charity. 

   In those days she became ill and died,

                                       and when they had washed her,

                                                       they laid her in an upper room. 

                                                                   Since Lydda

                was near Joppa, the disciples,

                                                 hearing that Peter was there,

                                                 sent two men to him,

                                                                 urging him, 

          “Please come to us without delay.” 

   So  Peter rose and went with them.

               And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room.

All the widows stood beside him weeping

                                             and showing tunics and other garments

                                                                    that Dorcas made

                while she    was with them. 

   But Peter put them all outside,

                   and knelt down and prayed;

                   and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.”

                  And she opened her eyes,

         and when she saw Peter she sat up,

    And he gave her his hand and raised her up.

                      Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 

    And it became known throughout all Joppa,

                              and many believed in the Lord. 

    And he stayed in Joppa for many days

                                          with one Simon, a tanner.

Joppa was a mostly Gentile town at the time, but here was a woman who worked hard for the poor. In Acts it is instructive to notice what people are “full of” for Luke uses the descriptive phrase at least nine times. Dorcas/Tabitha is described as being, “full of good works and acts of charity.” The crowd of widows were basically saying, “What will we do without her?” And their case for Peter’s intervention may be an appeal to Proverbs 31.

At this time I would like to list other examples of the dead being raised.

      Resurrections In the OT

• 1 Kings 17:17-22 The widow’s son raised by Elijah
• 2 Kings 4:32-35  The Shunammite’s son by Elisha
• 2 Kings 13:20-21 A dead man’s body accidentally touches Elisha’s bones and comes back to life (perhaps fulfilling the “double portion” request of Elisha).
• Jonah 2 There is some question whether Jonah’s language from the belly of the “great fish” is merely a figurative poetic description or an actual resurrection? Either way it is miraculous.

Resurrections In the NT

• Matthew 9:23-25 Jairus’ daughter by Jesus
• Luke 7:11-15 The widow’s only son
• Matthew 11:4-6 Jesus’ answer to John’s disciples (Luke 7:22;
• John 11:43-44 Lazarus raised on 4th day by Jesus
• Matthew 27:52-53 Many saints were raised when Jesus died
• Acts 9 6-40 This passage where Dorcus is raised by Jesus through Peter
• Acts 14:19-20 Paul was stoned at Lystra thought to be dead. This was either a mistake by the executioners or a miracle by God (or both).
• Acts 20:7-12 Eutychus raised by Paul after he fell asleep during a long sermon and fell out of a window (don’t try this!).
• Rev. 11:8, 11 the two witnesses (in Apocalyptic symbolism) are raised up to the dismay of the world.

And finally,

• Acts 3:15; 4:10; 13:30,34; Romans 6:9; 8:11, etc. testify that Jesus was raised from

  

  Empty Tomb

  the dead on the third day! 1 Corinthians 15 is the chapter on the theological ramifications of resurrection. If Jesus wasn’t raised we believe in vain. But because He was raised, we have hope.

5) Our Hope (Romans 8:10-11)

But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin,

                                                  the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 

   If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you,

                           he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead

                                                    will also give life to your mortal bodies 

                                       through his Spirit who dwells in you.

Eternal life is not so much a place, or a thing, but knowing/relating to a person, as Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

In like of this, we will now draw near to the Lord in Holy Communion. I like what John D. Zizioulas wrote about communion,

“In the Eucharist we can find all the dimensions of communion: God communicates himself to us, we enter into communion with him, the participants of the sacrament enter into communion with one another, and creation as a whole enters through man into communion with God. All this takes place in Christ and the Spirit, who brings the last days into history and offers to the world a foretaste of the Kingdom.” ― John D. Zizioulas, Communion and Otherness: Further Studies in Personhood and the Church

Let’s read together,

And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, 

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

       For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup,

                                you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. (1 Cor. 11:24-27)

It is as we pause, and proclaim his death on our behalf, that we in joy remember his resurrection that brings the hope we need until his return!

The Holy Family Inconvenienced by Love @ Christmas (Colossians 3:18-21)

Last Week: Do you remember what three things we were to check for?

• The peace of Christ ruling…
• The Word of Christ dwelling…
• The Name of Jesus doing…

This week’s texts: Colossians 3:18-21; and Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2,

This passage is usually taught as a guide to healthy family relationships, and it is that, in both the short version here and the long version in Ephesians 5. However, I wonder if we have ever applied this passage to the Holy Family, that of Jesus himself. 

¹⁸ Wives,

      submit to your husbands,

             as is fitting in the Lord. 

¹⁹ Husbands,

      love your wives,

           and do not be harsh with them. 

²⁰ Children,

      obey your parents in everything,

           for this pleases the Lord. 

²¹ Fathers,

               do not provoke your children,

         lest they become discouraged. 

Let’s be honest. This passage pushes everyone’s buttons, doesn’t it? I think that was in fact part of what Paul was doing. Talking about putting on the attributes of the “new man” in Christ, letting the peace of Christ keep ruling and the word of Christ keep dwelling, is all hypothetical until we ground it in the daily nuts and bolts of our own family. Paul gives the Colossians and us a starting place for having a holy family. Let’s take a brief look at what this passage means and then see how it played out in THE Holy Family—Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and God the Father at that first Christmas.

Wives, submit: (hüpotä'ssō) is a military term which means to arrange under, subordinate, the picture of an orderly system designed for mission. In essence Paul is saying You-all keep being submissive to your husbands.” While this verse pushes the buttons of many women who have heard this verse used too often to relegate them to a marginalized position, it comes in the larger Christian context of mutual submission (Eph. 5:21) as part of our submission of ourselves to God (James 4:7) as modeled by Jesus himself.  Kittle writes that, “The general rule in [New Testament] exhortation is that there should be mutual readiness to renounce one’s own will for others.” (Kittle 1160)

Why should we submit? Because “It is fitting (anēkō) in the Lord.” It is the way God himself works within the Trinitarian community of the God-head. If we were to state this nnegatively, we might say that if we are not hupotasso, our lives are not fitting to God. Such willing submission becomes possible because of Christmas.

Husbands, Love (agapao)

If there is only one Greek word we know, chances are god it is this one, the word for the sacrificial, serving love that Jesus shares with us the church. This directive to husbands to sacrificial and serving love was further qualified as to the way it should be done. Husbands were not to be “harsh” or “embittered” (pikrainō) towards their wives. This is not talking about fits of anger and name-calling but dealing with the heart and minds. We should not be bitter, angry, irritated, or indignant with our spouses. We should not treat them in such a way that they might feel that way about us either. This love, is described so well in 1 Corinthians 13, ^“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful…” (v. 4-5). Warren Wiersbe comments that, “bitterness in your hearts will produce trouble in the home” for bitterness will produce no sacrifice, no submission.

Children, Obey (hüpäkü'ō), 

The button-pushing doesn’t stop with husbands and wives, but being a holy family involves obedience. If children don’t learn to obey their parents they are ruined for they will not easily obey any kind of authority. As a result they will not dwell long in the land. But Why should children obey? Because it is pleasing to God or as the KJV translates, well-pleasing (yüärestos) Its right there in the Greek word…if you don’t obey “you arrest us”!

All kidding aside, we all need to obey the Lord if we are members of his family. Jesus made a point of this once when his family was trying to get past the crowd to see him.

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matt. 12:46-50)

Fathers (or Parents see Heb. 11:23), do not exasperate /provoke (erethē'zō): 

The word translated “provoke” can be either good, or bad, depending on the context; either to excite or infuriate. Dads are especially good at getting their kids wound up at the wrong times. Perhaps some of you have heard a warning like this, “Don’t you dare get them all riled up before bed time!” You know who you are! Well thankfully this command is not that! Paul warns us to avoid living in such a way that our children experience the side effects of “losing heart” (äthüme'ō). What can we do that causes them to be discouraged, disheartened, or more literally, dispirited? Such internal defeat comes from the long-term frustration parents cause by:

§  Asking them to do something which we won’t or don’t do ourselves.

§  saying “No” or “Yes” without really listening to them or considering their feelings, interests, and unique God-given gifts. Both extremes often produce the same result.

§  Not being a good relational role model.

The holy family which God calls us to become will involve all four of these elements. So how did this all work out that first Christmas?

Inconvenienced by Love

As much as we love Christmas, sometimes the things that go with the season are neither easy nor convenient—landslides (twice this last week), traffic jams, crazy drivers, and crowded shopping malls, bad weather, perhaps hanging up the outdoor lights in the bad weather, topped off by and trying to please all our relatives. In fact, some things about the Christmas season might be, for us, downright uncomfortable. Such trials pale in comparison to those faced on Christmas 2000+ years ago.

If you are like me, you like to feel warm, cozy, and comfortably at ease and call it being in the Christmas spirit. However, the first Christmas was neither comfortable nor convenient for any of the main characters (the Holy Family) or the supporting characters (inn keeper, shepherds, Magi, and even Herod). In fact, why do we want comfort and convenience at Christmas? 

In all actuality, the peace and joy of the season are rooted in discomfort and inconvenience. In fact they depend upon it. That first Christmas wasn't convenient either.

1)    Christmas submission wasn't convenient for Mary (v.18; Luke 1:26-38; 2:1-7). Why?

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” (Luke 1:38)

She was the one who was pregnant—very pregnant—likely riding on a donkey for the nearly 80 mile journey, then giving birth in a dirty barn, or more likely, the living room floor in a stranger’s house in a strange city.

Mary submitted to the Lord’s plan for her life, to her husband’s decision in response to her pregnancy, to his plan to go to Bethlehem, then the new plan to go to Egypt in the middle of the night [do you believe that God can talk to your husband like that?]. Later she went along with the plan to come home to Bethlehem…and the new-new plan to move back to Nazareth instead.

2)    Christmas loving wasn't convenient for Joseph (Matt. 1:18-25). Why?

His reputation was at stake as a result of her unwed pregnancy and the certain rumors that would spread, yet he chose not to defend his honor publicly. Joseph was getting an instant family…and not the way he would have planned. However, he chose to love her—first in deciding to put her away quietly (instead of stoning her) secondly in taking her as his wife…and treating her gently. After deciding to take the angelic message to heart he and Mary began the long trip to Bethlehem for some stupid government census declared by a foreign emperor. She rode the donkey (tradition), while he had to walk. She would not give birth in the home he would have built in preparation for their marriage, but somewhere else depending of the hospitality of others.

3)    Christmas obedience wasn't comfortable for Jesus the Son of God (Gospels)

It was the Father’s counter-intuitive pleasure that the Son, the Creator of the Universe, would take time perhaps on a cold winter night, some 2000 years ago—

·         to be born as a baby, in a humble house with a feeding trough for a cradle,

·         to spend a number of years as a refugee in Egypt,

·         to live as a carpenter's son in Nazareth until He was thirty,

·         to spend the next three years on the road trying to teach stubborn and hard-hearted people

·         before spending 33 days in the grave to set us free from sin and death

—but He did it joyfully. He recapitulated all of human life in his own, assuming our sin, sorrow, and shame so that we might be healed. It wasn't comfortable for the Son to come to earth as a man--but He did it willingly. It was not convenient nor was it comfortable that He should be rejected, abused, tortured and crucified for those same people--for us, and then to spend three days in the grave--but He did it obediently and completed his mission.

Certainly that first Christmas for Christ Jesus was not about convenience, nor was it about comfort. It was about doing the Father’s business. Thus it was about compassion for lost souls and a commitment to do something about it by the only One who could. It is about an incomparable love.

As I consider the selfless, loving attitude of our Lord I am convicted of my lack of Christ-likeness and challenged to let his attitude, his very Spirit, dwell in me—even this Christmas—so that my focus would not center around my comfort and my convenience, but on that of others.

How ironic it is that in sacrificing our own expectations for God's best in the lives of others, that we receive God's best for us!

4)    Christmas news wasn't convenient for the supporting cast:

·  Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20). Why? They were badly frightened by the angels, then they left their flocks and their watch-fires to find this new-born king. They worshiped and witnessed to others…“You won’t believe what I saw tonight!”

·  Wise men from the east (Matthew 2:1-12). Why? They studied long and hard, they left behind their families and careers to travel a long way, worship the child Jesus, give gifts, and then they had to take the long way home. They worshiped and then were warned to go home a different way with perhaps “a price on their heads.”

·  King Herod (Matt. 2:3-8, 16-19) Why? A messianic king in fulfillment of the prophecies would ruin everything for Herod, whose power was founded on fear and oppression like that of the White witch in Lewis’ Narnia book, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. He ruled a kingdom with his own power which led to an amazing amount of paranoia. He was troubled and caused grief…thinking better that others should die in order to preserve his faux kingdom.

5)    Christmas was the eternal plan born of the Father’s love

Jesus was sent by the Father, directed by the Father, and fully revealed the Father to us. The incarnation wasn’t without a price for the Father either He chose to give his Son for a bunch of stubborn people who continue to spit in the face of their maker. It couldn’t have been easy to watch events unfold as you knew they would, but in his love he was determined to rescue people oppressed by their slavery to sin and the fear of death.

Our Heavenly Father doesn’t provoke us! What did he say to that holy family?

To Mary (Luke 1:30) And the angel [messenger] said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

To Joseph: described as a just man was not kept in the dark. He had four angelic dream warnings, “And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:19-21; 2:13, 19-20, 22)

To Jesus: “…and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:22)

Matthew 17:5 He was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” [Also John 2:5 when Mary said, “Do whatever he tells you.”]

2 Peter 1:16-18 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain.

Don't we all want that kind of encouragement and love from our fathers?

To the Supporting Cast: Lowly shepherds were included in the special moment, the angelic choir and all; Simeon got to seen the baby born before he died, wise men joined the prophets and provided for the refugees. Herod…well, his fear consumed him.

What About Us? What does Christmas do in our lives? How does it shape us?

A)   Christmas tests our Relationship with Christ. (Proverbs 14:14).

"The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways,

        But a good man will be satisfied from above."

   At Christmas, we get to see…

·         Whether we are full of selfishness or if we are satisfied from above.

·         Whether we have the kind of love that indicates a growing relationship with Jesus Christ or if we are shrinking do to self-focus. [How many selfies do we take?]

·         How submissive are we in arranging ourselves under his authority? (James 4:7)

·         How willing are we to postpone our own gratification for the purpose of his kingdom? [They were chaste until after Jesus was born.]

·         How passionate are we in responding to his love for us?

Do we trust him as we should?

B)     Christmas reassures us that God will meet our needs (Romans 8:32; Phil. 4:19).

"He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" With such a hefty down-payment—no mortgage insurance is needed. (Romans 8:32)

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  (Phil. 4:19) I have found that it is human nature that submission is easier when we trust the one to whom we submit.

   The gift of Jesus, and all the gift giving that goes on at Christmas, should remind us…

C)   Christmas reminds us to look out for others in love (Philippians 2:4).

"Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

D)   Christmas reproves us regarding our priorities (Mark 10:45).

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

   What an amazing role model we have in Jesus!

E)      Christmas reproduces itself in the hearts of Believers (Phil. 2:5-8; Matt. 10:7-8)

Phil. 2:5-8 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

Matthew 10:7-8 "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give."

John 15:8 "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples."

2 Timothy 2:1-2 "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also."

Mary, Joseph, Jesus, God, as well as the shepherds and the wise men, were willing to be inconvenienced. The great inconvenience of Christ led to great blessings for us.

Let's turn our seasonal inconveniences into blessings for others. How?

• Pray for others while we are going through delays and extra effort this season.
• Go out of your way to bless others, and it may open up a door for us to share what God has been doing in our lives this year with them. We also benefit from,
1. The joy of giving/serving unto the Lord. He deserves it even if they don’t
2. It may open the door for us to share what God is doing in our own lives.
• Believe that nothing is wasted…God’s plan redeems our inconveniences
• Others?

May your Christmas season be truly blessed by the goodness of God, and if the blessing comes in disguise, may we have the eyes of faith to recognize them!