The Shepherd Who Brings Peace | Sunday Service

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In this powerful Christmas message, we explore the profound reality of peace—not just as a feeling of tranquility, but as a concrete cessation of hostility. Drawing a parallel to the famous Christmas Truce of 1914 during World War I, we see how peace requires someone to step out of the "safety of the trenches" and into "no man's land" to make a genuine overture.

• The Context of War: While we often think of the Christmas story in terms of "Silent Night," Luke 2 actually takes place against a backdrop of cosmic warfare. Ever since the fall, humanity has been in a state of rebellion and "at war" with a holy God.

  
  

• Micah’s Prophecy: We dive into the book of Micah, a text that oscillates between declarations of war and overtures of peace. Micah 5:2-5 foretells a Shepherd-King from Bethlehem who is both human and divine ("from ancient days") and who doesn't just bring peace, but is our peace.

  
  

• Jesus in No Man's Land: Jesus Christ is the ultimate emissary of peace. He left the safety of heaven to step into the "no man's land" of our world to offer an end to hostilities between God and man.

  
  

• The Peace Offering: True peace is not universal or automatic; it is a gift of grace received through faith. By the blood of His cross, Jesus reconciled us to God, turning enemies into friends.

  
  

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased." — Luke 2:14