Mysty PfefferThe Way of Peace through Jesus’ Birth and Life
The way of peace begins by exploring the foretelling and recording of Jesus’ birth this week. We are told from the lips of Zachariah,” The Lord will redeem his people through a horn of salvation” (Luke 1:69) To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace” (Luke 1:79).
But what does the way of peace mean for us today?
Peace is so fleeting!
We have it one moment and it’s gone the next. So, maybe it’s time to explore the various definitions of biblical ways of peace to determine where to start… and STAY in our peace:
Peace Definitions
1. A state of national tranquility, exemption from the rage and havoc of war.
2. Peace between individuals, harmony.
3. Security, Safety, Prosperity
4. Of the Messiah’s peace–the way that leads to peace (salvation)
5. Of Christianity, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from and content with its earthly lot.
6. The blessed state of the devout and upright men after death.
Since tranquility between nations is something we have not seen throughout the centuries, we can place world peace before the Father in prayer. Simply because it is out of our control.
However, the remaining five definitions of peace are promises from our loving Father. We can hold tightly to them because they are available to us through His Son and His Word.
The Angel, Zechariah, as well as his son John, speak of salvation in our chapters of Luke this week. We’ll explore the Angel’s announcement and Simeon’s joy in coming posts.
Today though, we’ll think about our definitions above to get a clearer picture of the Lord’s tranquility. We will also take a look at parts of Zechariah’s Prophecy below. Filled with the Holy Spirit, he exhorts the coming of our Lord, and the plans for his own son, with awe.
67And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Luke 1:67-79
The glorious prophecy of Zechariah foretells of redemption!
In addition, we know the way of peace comes through the “horn of salvation”. The phrase illustrates the strength of God to save his people. In fact, salvation is announced from the previously mentioned individuals, indicating a repeated theme throughout the book of Luke.
Our definition of peace reminds us of the Messiah’s peace of salvation. This means we have an assurance for our souls from the hand of our fiercest enemy (vs71). Even though he is doing everything he can to remove our peace. He will not win.
More importantly, because of his continual attacks, we need the mercy of God to proclaim the gospel boldly. Like many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world today, we too can serve him without fear (vs. 74). A fearless faith looking like the disciples and the early church martyrs. In addition, we see the recounting of Jesus’ birth throughout history. This too, is given as evidence of the oath sworn to Abraham in Zechariah’s prophesy. God has covered his descendants through the ages as they served Jesus with courage.
Descendants and disciples who unquestionably brought the light of the Messiah to the dying, pulling them out of the darkness. In effect, blessing them with the knowledge of salvation and forgiveness of sin. A joyous hope the people then and now cannot live without during troubling times. His way of guiding our feet into the way peace is so much better than we ever hoped!
In addition, the way of Jesus is bold in its gentleness. A way leading us to defy the constant barrage of criticism and attacks from the enemy. Placing our trust in him, allows a supernatural harmony to flow among us and our fiercest critics. We know we can’t do that on our own. Gently, he reminds us to take every thought captive to Jesus (2 Cor. 10:5) and use soft words turn away wrath (Proverbs 15:1).
Lastly, attempts to displace our peace fall on his precious covering in the shadows of death. A place we’ve all been too familiar with this year. May we cast aside the shadow for Jesus’ promising light and set our hearts on God. For in him, we find our eternal peace.
