10 Dec 2023

2023 Advent Guide | Week 2

Peace

But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 
2 Peter 3:13–14

This passage from the second letter of Peter is the appointed epistle for the second week in Advent and highlights our theme of Peace. It could be said that the word “peace” is an ideal that we ought to strive for, yet we never quite get there; or at least it’s such a temporary experience it’s like a snowflake in the palm of our hand. No one really is at peace, are they? We look at the world and see unrest everywhere. We see broken relationships, broken systems, and outright war. One of my favorite songs by the group Hymns From Nineveh has a lyric that says, “Christmas is here, but what do you care anyway? War isn’t over you say and you walk away…” This feeling can cause us pain in a season that we are supposed to sing of the baby Jesus “sleeping in Heavenly Peace.” How then shall we find peace this season and be transformed by “The Prince of Peace?”

Let us begin by remembering what this “peace” is that the Scriptures speak of. Some of us have heard the word “shalom,” which means everything being complete or whole, or, “at peace.” Before the fall and sin entered the world, we were complete and whole with God, living in harmony with Him. Author and pastor Tim Mackie says this about Shalom: “The core idea is that life is complex, full of moving parts and relationships and situations, and when any of these is out of alignment or out of place, your shalom breaks down. Life is no longer whole; it needs to be restored.” Sin separated us from God because we were no longer perfect and Holy as He is. We needed a savior. We needed someone to make it right. Enter: The Messiah. The God-Man, Jesus Christ who came to earth to reestablish peace, or rightness, wholeness, completeness. Isaiah 9:6 says:

For to us, a child is born, to us, a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Born TO us, given TO us. We meditate on the person and work of Jesus in this season because without Him, we will not have the peace we so desire and lack the ability to achieve on our own. God knew this and did something about it because He loves you and me.

It seems ironic then that in order to reestablish Shalom, or peace, God did the most aggressive and not peaceful action to that baby, His only Son, laid in the manger.

 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:19–20

Our Messiah, Jesus needed to die; to shed His blood to be the appropriate sacrifice to pay for our sins that disrupted our peace with God and each other. He did this and raised from the dead on the third day so that we could have forgiveness from our sins. We have peace again today because Jesus has taken away our sin and restored us to our God! The bill has been paid! The gift given! Our new lives have become realities! Our entire lives are put into a new perspective of eternity with Jesus. If we meditate on those things which give us the most anxiety: the things that disrupt our peace, we will see that they are temporal things that will pass away. Our health, our finances, our governments, our culture, our relationships will all one day be brought under the complete subjection to God’s perfect eternal reign and be restored perfectly and completely…so, take heart! We can have peace in this reality today no matter what season we might be in. It will be perfect again one day and at perfect peace. However, the gift of the Holy Spirit is proof that Jesus desires us to have perfect peace right now, here, today. He desires us to see His good in the world here and now, healing us, repairing broken systems, and providing all our needs.

This Advent season we live the tension of a hope that is here for you and me today yet one we wait for as 2 Peter tells us. This text also challenges us to wait “diligently,” to be found waiting expectantly for the savior “without spot or blemish and at peace.” Living now according to His Shalom and His life in us and being transformed by His life in us. We are called to be people of peace in the midst of chaos just as our savior Jesus came into a world riddled with war, sickness, and poverty. Even though we wait for the full expression of God’s Kingdom, we can work for and toward peace here and now as we eagerly await the day of its completion. The kingdom is here, and we are to be those who live according to it and herald its good news and its Holy reign.

This Advent, may we prepare our hearts to receive Him when He comes, yet live out of His life in us today. As we draw ever nearer to the manger throne of the almighty God, let us repent of our sins and pursue the Kingdom and its righteousness. Let us be people of peace as we wait for the coming Kingdom.

Amen

Scripture Readings for the second Sunday in Advent (The Revised Common Lectionary)

  • Isaiah 40:1-11
  • Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
  • 2 Peter 3:8-15a
  • Mark 1:1-8

Hymns (Terra’s Advent Playlist)

Collect (Prayer) for the Second Sunday in Advent

Blessed Lord, who hast caused all holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and comfort of thy holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Activities:

  • Keep vigil: find some time (10 minutes, an hour, etc) to purposefully watch and wait and yearn for Jesus to return. I’ll be keeping vigil once a week from 1a-2a! Join me!
  • Fast: Find something to give up: Food, drink, media, etc., and replace that with prayer and meditation. I’ll be fasting from breakfast and lunch once a week. Join me!
  • Repent: have a heart of repentance. Ask those who love you to speak into places you need to turn to the Lord.
  • Silent Prayer: Sit quietly before the Lord and listen
  • Decorate slowly and progressively
  • Light an Advent wreath

-Pastor Matt

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