Advent: Day 12
”The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 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. 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.“
Isaiah 9:2-7 NIV
Light. Light after the dark of night brings hope, also peace at the stillness of morning. There is a newness that comes in the morning. As light comes out it feels like everything is transformed.
That is what the arrival of Jesus is like. He transforms things. And as we wait for his second coming, we wait for more transformation. And because he is the prince of peace, we know that he will bring peace. Not just inner peace, but peace to the world as well. End of war and violence. Imagine what that would look like. From international and national levels, all the way down to communities and families where violence occurs. And end to it all. As another passage states, the swords will be beaten into ploughshares. That is what we look forward to, and that is the Jesus we look at.
This passage mentions a lot about government and God, and a lot of times those things can get connected and confused. People will use God as a pawn in their politics. But that’s not the purpose of this passage. It shows us who is really in charge and what his way of doing things is. His way is peace, his way defending the oppressed and ending oppression. His way is justice. That is his way.
Song of the day: