Peace to Those on Whom His Favor Rests (Luke 2:10-14)
The Field of Answers of 1st 2nd 3rd RUTC:
Peace to Those on Whom His Favor Rests (Luke 2:10-14)
It is the week of Christmas. It is a week of rejoicing and being thankful that Christ has come. There are not many things to be joyful and grateful for in the world. Omicron is spreading, tornados and other natural disasters continue, the rise of costs and inflation is at their worst. We have no choice but to have a heavy heart. What is the true blessing and answer that we must enjoy during these times? It is the peace that the world cannot give, and only God can provide. This was what the angels and hosts of the Lord sang about on the night of Christ’s birth. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (verse 14). Within that praise, two things were emphasized concerning Christ’s coming on earth. First, He came to earth and showed the true glory of the Triune God. The Son had come. He who is on the throne had come. He came to save the life in suffering and reveal God’s glory in their life. Second, He came to give true peace to the believers saved that way. Because believers live in a world amongst unbelievers and covered in darkness, saved believers may still face problems, suffering, and disasters. However, there is one difference. There is a different answer and blessing that the saved people of the Lord (“the people on whom His favor rests”) will enjoy within that. What is the most fundamental thing about that answer and blessing? The very peace is something only Christ can give (John 14:27). How important is peace to people? The best greeting when meeting Israeli people is “shalom (peace).” For Koreans, the greeting is “did you have a good/peaceful night?” Regardless of how much money, fame, and power one may have, mental problems like depression and panic disorder may come if the person has no peace. Eventually, it will progress into spiritual problems. Peace is of the utmost importance when restoring health as well.
- We must be able to enjoy the greatest gift that Christ gives to us, the peace He gives us.
1) This is the core of the gospel (Acts 10:36, Romans 5:1, Ephesians 3:14-18, Ephesians 6:15).
We who would have been in sin and curses are now able to enjoy God’s peace through Christ’s death on the cross. The walk of faith is enjoying the peace He gives us in all problems and incidents. Evangelism and missions is sharing the peace I have and helping all people to be peaceful.
2) How can we enjoy this blessing? It can happen by enjoying deep time with God.
We cannot enjoy this blessing because we try to find peace elsewhere. It is usually money, good, job, success, and other similar matters.
① We can enjoy this blessing by simply having scheduled worship and scheduled prayer.
What is worship? Simply put, it is spending deep time with God. It is a time to receive the strength, wisdom, peace, power, and everything God gives us. Losing hold of this blessing is the most unfortunate and foolish thing. Satan hinders us from enjoying this blessing with various reasons.
② The five powers and the blessing of the throne is what comes forth when we worship and pray in the name of Christ.
It says, “Peace to those on whom His favor rests.” It is not a blessing that anyone can enjoy. It means that when we accepted Christ, were saved, and became children of God, we became God’s joy (Isaiah 43:4). There are times when we become God’s grief (Ephesians 4:30). If we fix our gaze and look upon Him and follow Him even during those times, we can become His joy and restore all blessings (Isaiah 62:4 “Hepzibah).
③ That is when God’s governance comes upon us (Kingdom of God).
We can enjoy this in us now (Luke 17:21). The Holy Spirit’s governance begins (Romans 14:17). The forces of darkness that make me worry, fear, depressed, angry, and suffer will be destroyed (Matthew 12:28). That is when people who need true peace start to gather around us (platform of evangelism and missions).
- We must train the life of 24 to enjoy this blessing in our daily lives.
1) We need to make the life that enjoys God’s peace our imprint, root, and nature. We need lifelong training.
The kind of emotions I train daily is important. Our brain usually follows familiar emotions. In the face of problems, some people find the blessings God has prepared and those who imprint them as scars. Some find answers in the Word and put down roots in prayer, those who suffer alone, and those who exert their problems to others. God’s will is to make 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 our nature. That is when all doors will open (Revelations 3:8).
2) Are times of conflict, problems, and suffering coming?
Hold onto the tomorrow and future that God has hidden and prepared and pray to change everything to thanksgiving (Romans 8:28). Then, peace will form within me, and important answers and evidence will come (Philippians 4:6-7). That is when we become watchmen who bless and pray for all the suffering people on earth.
- We share this evidence with the world. That is the life of a witness.
We are to carry out the role of sharing this gospel relayed to us by angels to the world. That is the life of an evangelist and a spiritual antenna.
1) If I alone enjoy the peace that God gives me in my family and workplace, it will surely be relayed.
Just as signals and viruses that are invisible spread, a spiritual flow is spread. They are the ambassadors of Christ who relay peace (2 Corinthians 5:20).
2) Try to yield if possible and train a life that blesses and shares with whomever you meet. That creates my vessel.
It says that if we take compassion of those who give us difficulty and bless them, it will come back to us (Psalms 35:11-13). It says, “Blessed are those whose strength is in the Lord, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the valley, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools” (Psalms 84:5-6).
3) Make this Christmas an opportunity to share this Gospel of peace with your neighbors.
Everything we scatter on earth will go beyond this earth and become eternal fruit (Galatians 6:7).
Conclusion: As darkness becomes deeper, even the smallest light can become a great strength. In this Christmas season, may you enjoy true peace and become the life of a spiritual platform, spiritual watchman’s watchtower, and spiritual antenna that delivers true peace.