Played: 34 | Download | Duration: 00:34:34

The Gift of Peace

Jesus, as he spent His last evening with His disciples, gave the disciples a wonderful promise and an amazing gift: He gave them the gift of peace.  Don't we all long for that gift- the gift of peace?  Yet so much of the time we don't really experience that gift.  Why not?  How do we unwrap this glorious Christmas present Jesus wants to give us?

Scriptures:

John 14:27-31 *

²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ²⁸ “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe. ³⁰ I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, ³¹ but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave. "

John 15:1-12 *

¹ “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

⁹ “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. ¹² My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

John 15:16-17 *

¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.

John 16:29-33 *

²⁹ Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. ³⁰ Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

³¹ “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. ³² “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

³³ “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Micah 5:2-5 *

 ² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
   though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
   one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
   from ancient times.”

 ³ Therefore Israel will be abandoned
   until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
   to join the Israelites.

 ⁴ He will stand and shepherd his flock
   in the strength of the LORD,
   in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
   will reach to the ends of the earth.

 ⁵ And he will be our peace
   when the Assyrians invade our land
   and march through our fortresses.
We will raise against them seven shepherds,
   even eight commanders,

Isaiah 9:6-7 *

 ⁶ For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
   there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
   and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
   with justice and righteousness
   from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the LORD Almighty
   will accomplish this.

Luke 2:13-14 *

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Digging Deeper

1. The theme of peace runs through the entire Christmas Story. Consider the following passages with respect to Christmas peace. How do they relate to each other? What promises do they contain? How are they fulfilled? Genesis 3:15-23 (lack of peace); Numbers 6:24-27; Psalm 4:6-8; Isaiah 9:2 (compare Luke 1:76-79 and 2:28-33); Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 52:7 (compare Romans 10:14-16); Isaiah 53:5-6 (compare 1 Peter 2:24-25 and Romans 3:10-19); Micah 5:2-5; Zechariah 9:9-10 (compare John 12:12-16); Luke 2:14.

2. Read Luke chapters 1 and 2. As you read, think about each scene or person(s) mentioned with respect to peace. Were they experiencing peace? How would/did the coming birth of Jesus impact their lives with respect to peace? For example: Zechariah and Elizabeth had no children – most probably they felt pain and had anguished over that reality (no peace). God promised to them the miracle of a child.

3. How would you characterize your life? Full of peace? No peace? What things/actions/decisions take away peace from your life? What could you change in your life so that you can receive the gift Jesus promised: the gift of peace? Will you ask God to help you change those things this Christmas season?