Prince of Peace (Reprise)

Prince of Peace (reprise)

(Isaiah 42:1-9)

Yearly Theme:  “Peace is…”

Series Title:  “Kingdom of Peace”

April 25^th, 2021

Something to think about:

What does peace look like?  What does Justice look like? There has been a lot of talk about justice and calls for peace in our nation. However, all the voices clamoring to be heard are not calling for the same thing and it seems every one is saying something different. What does the Bible say about peace and justice?

Today, we come to a passage of Scripture in the Old Testament book of Isaiah in chapter 42.  This passage is a promise from God to his people that he will send someone to them. He will be the perfect example of peace and humility, an example of justice, the Light to the whole world, and the savior of those who need saving (which is all of us). If you are like me and are trying to weed through all that is happening in society, maybe you are feeling pretty overwhelmed at this point. Maybe, like me, you are struggling to find the right path to walk down, the right opinion to have, and the right words to say. This passage is a great example of just how much God loves us and provides for us, and it is also a great passage to study when asking the question “what does living like a disciple of Jesus Christ look like in times of struggle?” Let’s take a look…

Turn in your Bibles to Isaiah 42:1-9  (NLT),

At this point, the nation of Judah had been conquered by Babylon, and many of its citizens had been taken as slaves and transplanted into a new nation. The temple of the Lord had been destroyed, and the nation of Judah was in ruins. Isaiah is prophesying to a broken and scattered nation, a nation which was divided and leaderless. It is at this time that Isaiah speaks a word of comfort to the people bringing a promise from God that he will send Jesus and to be our savior.

42 “Look at my servant, whom I strengthen.
    He is my chosen one, who pleases me.
I have put my Spirit upon him.
    He will bring justice to the nations.
² He will not shout
    or raise his voice in public.
³ He will not crush the weakest reed
    or put out a flickering candle.
    He will bring justice to all who have been wronged.
⁴ He will not falter or lose heart
    until justice prevails throughout the earth.
    Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.^[a]”

⁵ God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.
    He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone,
    life to everyone who walks the earth.
And it is he who says,
⁶ “I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate my righteousness.
    I will take you by the hand and guard you,
and I will give you to my people, Israel,
    as a symbol of my covenant with them.
And you will be a light to guide the nations.
⁷     You will open the eyes of the blind.
You will free the captives from prison,
    releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.

⁸ “I am the Lord; that is my name!
    I will not give my glory to anyone else,
    nor share my praise with carved idols.
⁹ Everything I prophesied has come true,
    and now I will prophesy again.
I will tell you the future before it happens.”

Key Point:  “God’s demonstration of Justice comes through his peaceful servant, Jesus.”

What are the characteristics of a person who seeks Justice and lives in peace?

1.  (Isaiah 42:2)
2.  (Isaiah 42:2)
3.  (Isaiah 42:3)
4.  (Isaiah 42:3)
5.  (Isaiah 42:4)

Something to take home:

This passage should act as both a challenge and comfort. As Christians, we are called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, not disciples of our senior pastor, not disciples of a politician, not disciples of our favorite theologian. Our calling is to be disciples of Christ, so we should feel challenged when we read about Christ. We should feel challenged to be more and more like him and to acknowledge our shortcomings. However, we should also be comforted because God is a God who keeps his promises. He sent his son as a savior and example to us, and he is a messiah who is perfectly calm, perfectly levelheaded, perfectly gentle, perfectly strong, and perfectly unwavering. I don’t know about you, but I am thankful for all those things in my life.

Key Point:  “God’s demonstration of Justice comes through his peaceful servant, Jesus.”