THIS ONE WILL BE OUR PEACE
In this season we hear that comforting phrase: “Peace on
Earth!” And yet we look at the world around us and see no peace. Right there is
the problem: we are looking in the wrong place! Peace is not to be found in
human institutions or devices. True peace is found in the Person of Jesus, the
Messiah of Israel and Savior of the world. The prophet Micah revealed it over 700
years before the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem.
"But as for you,
Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Too little to be among
the clans of Judah,
From you One will go
forth for Me to be ruler in Israel.
His goings forth are
from long ago,
From the days of
eternity."
Therefore He will give
them up until the time
When she who is in
labor has borne a child.
Then the remainder of
His brethren
Will return to the
sons of Israel.
And He will arise and
shepherd His flock
In the strength of the
LORD,
In the majesty of the
name of the LORD His God.
And they will remain,
Because at that time
He will be great
To the ends of the
earth.
This One will be our
peace. (Micah 5:2-5a)
This One will be our
peace!
That phrase is emphatic: “This One.” The same expression was used of Lamech’s hope
conerning his son Noah: "This one will give us rest from our work and from
the toil of our hands arising from the ground which the LORD has cursed."
(Gen. 5:29) The Song of Moses proclaims,
“This Same (One) is my God” (Barnes trans.). And here in Micah, “This One” is
our peace. And who is this One? The Apostle Paul makes the fulfillment clear:
But now in Christ
Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of
Christ. For He Himself is our peace,
who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained
in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus
establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through
the cross, by it having put to death the enmity. AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE
TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR; for through Him we
both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer
strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of
God's household . . . (Ephesians 2:13-19 NASB)
Isaiah’s wonderful prophecy calls this Messiah “The Prince
of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Those who receive this Prince of Peace as their Lord
and Savior and look to Him for all their needs, experience a peace that “surpasses
all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
An accurate translation of that famous angelic announcement
of the birth of Jesus makes it clear that the peace He gives is for those who
trust in Him:
"Glory to God in
the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!"
(Luke 2:14 ESV)
He is pleased with those who put their trust in Him. Have
you received Jesus as your Lord and Savior?
