Series: Christmas week reflection 2015- Part 4
In scripture, there is a long story of the coming seed, a coming messiah. This passage contains both a promise for the moment, and a promise for the future. It is important to note that this passage comes on the heels of God speaking about the last days. Through the prophet, God shares a picture in chapter four of His end goal. Then in 4:11 God shares that he sees the storm His people are in. They cannot control their circumstances and they are all wondering: where is God? Chapter four ends with the prophet sharing that the storm does not know the thoughts of the LORD or understand the plans of the LORD. It is in the midst of the storm that God meets his people and sends a message.
In Chapter five, in the midst of the storm, there is a promise of a king, a shepherd who will come. In the arrival of this King, Shepherd, ruler, there will be a peace (5:5). This is not a peace from the storm, but that they will have peace in him. (Eph. 2:14)
In this promise, they are reminded the Shepherd will not abandon them. In this promise, they are reminded when the messiah comes they will live securely. In this promise, they are reminded when the messiah comes he will be their peace.
This advent week and Christmas Eve we remember that the messiah has come. His peace does not come from having more, or military or political, or selfish gain. It is a peace that will come from one who is from ancient times. This is a different peace than what our world knows.
The challenge for many is trusting this peace. If it were a bridge, do we trust that it will hold us up when we do not have control? This Jesus who has come gives peace. He calls us to follow him and as we journey with him a peace comes. I am not sure if I fully understand the power of this peace or have embraced it fully, however, Jesus stands near to you and says follow me.
For many, we go searching for peace in everything but Jesus, at times drawing on other sources other than the one who has come. We believe that we will get ourselves through the storm and be our own everlasting peace.
However, Jesus stands before you today, your only hope, and is calling you to follow. This Christmas eve invite him into the storm and let the light shine in the darkness. This Christmas eve, celebrate that he has come for you and know that the peace which surpasses all understanding is yours. Take a moment of prayer and drink from the everlasting living water.
