Shalom

An Advent Reflection

Malachi 3:1-4

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like washers’ soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord, as in the days of old and as in former years.

Philippians 1:3-11

I thank my God for every remembrance of you, 4 always in every one of my prayers for all of you, praying with joy 5 for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. 6 I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work in you will continue to complete[a] it until the day of Jesus Christ. 7 It is right for me to think this way about all of you, because I hold you in my heart,[for all of you are my partners in God’s grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. 8 For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the tender affection of Christ Jesus. 9 And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight 10 to help you to determine what really matters, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, 11 having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

The fundamental theme during the Advent season is peace, especially highlighted in the second week. One prophecy regarding Jesus refers to him as “the Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7). When the angels visited the shepherds, they concluded their message with, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:14). When Simeon saw the infant Jesus in the temple, he expressed gratitude to God, feeling at peace that he had witnessed the Messiah (Luke 2:29-33).

The term "peace" is often utilized in everyday language, yet its definition can vary significantly across different contexts and cultures. This diversity of interpretations, from the teachings of various religions to the insights of different belief systems, offers a rich tapestry of understanding. Many individuals use the word without fully grasping its more profound inferences, which can lead to misunderstandings. However, by exploring these diverse interpretations, we can gain a deeper understanding of this profound concept and foster a greater sense of compassion and understanding among people of various beliefs.

For example, in many Eastern religions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, the path to peace is intricately tied to the acceptance of impermanence—the recognition that all things, including life itself, are transient. This perspective emphasizes the importance of letting go of attachments and understanding the cyclical nature of existence, where comfort is found in the acceptance of change rather than resistance to it.

The Jewish understanding of peace centers around the teachings of the Torah. In this view, peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a holistic sense of well-being and harmony that comes from a relationship with God and a commitment to loving and serving others. The Hebrew word for peace is "shalom," which encompasses emotional, physical, and spiritual health. It invites believers to partake in a more profound sense of community and connection with the divine.

Given the rich tapestry of interpretations surrounding the concept of peace, it is crucial for Christians to study and reflect on how the scriptures depict this theme. By delving into the biblical texts, we can gain a clearer understanding of the peace that God offers and how it contrasts with the often superficial notion of peace prevalent in society today. Understanding these diverse perspectives can help foster more meaningful conversations and promote a greater sense of compassion and understanding among people of various beliefs.

The term "shalom" has multiple meanings in the Bible. When individuals are feeling well physically, it’s common to say that they "have shalom" (Genesis 29:6). Those who share shalom with God benefit from His protection and blessings (Numbers 25:12). Additionally, when friends reconcile or when the 11 tribes of Israel put an end to their conflict with the tribe of Benjamin, they are said to have shalom with one another (Judges 21:13). The Old Testament portrays true peace as an inner state that arises from faith in God (Isaiah 26:3) (Shanks, 2000). However, it also emphasizes that Israel's peace with God is rooted in a covenant that comes with specific conditions. Throughout the accounts of Israel’s establishment and history, we see the people entering into a covenant with God, who promises peace and protection as long as they don’t “turn to folly” (Psalm 85:8). When the nation strays from following God, He withdraws His peace (Jeremiah 16:5). By the time Jesus arrived, Israel had endured centuries of foreign domination, leading to a long-standing absence of peace with God.

The Doctrine of Original Sin teaches that humanity's Peace with God was disrupted when sin entered the world (Farrow, Douglas, 2000). John tells us that from the time Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, all of humanity became sinners (2 John 1:8), which created a conflict with God. This original sin, according to Christian theology, is the root of all human sinfulness and the reason for our separation from God. What Paul calls ‘The flesh’ is understood as our sinful tendencies and became the guiding force in human nature (Romans 8:7-8). In Ecclesiastes, King Solomon reinforces this understanding when he writes, ‘Surely there is no one on earth so righteous as to do good without ever sinning.’ (Ecclesiastes 7:20), indicating that we are all in a state of rebellion against God. This absence of peace presented a challenge that the Messiah was destined to address.

Jewish teachers have discussed the Israelites’ anticipation of the Messiah as a savior who would deliver them from foreign rule. Prophets prophesy that God will restore Israel, and it is interpreted that a Messiah would establish peace by ending oppression and restoring Israel to its previous national prominence—the glory and power they experienced during the reign of King David. However, the interpretation of scripture and the execution of God’s plan do not always align. After all, how can we understand the mind of God? God’s plan was always to save the righteous, not the kingdom. Jesus says this much in John 18, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom belonged to this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” (John 18:36)

Jesus spoke about peace on multiple occasions. In the Sermon on the Mount, he stated that those who promote peace are blessed and will be recognized as God's children (Matthew 5:9). However, he also cautioned his followers that he did not come to bring peace to this world, implying that he would create divisions among people (Matthew 10:34-36). Later, during the Last Supper, as he informed his disciples about his impending departure, Jesus reassured them by saying, "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" (John 14:27). It is unmistakable that the peace Jesus provides is not ordinary. It is a unique and uplifting peace that transcends the world's understanding, offering comfort and reassurance to his followers.

His disciples discovered as much when Jesus was crucified, and after he rose again, he did not establish peace by toppling governments. Instead, he provided peace for both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 10:12) through this act of grace. He served as a sacrificial lamb, giving his life for the sins of humanity once and for all (Hebrews 9:12). In this act, he reconciled humanity with God (1 John 2:2). Consequently, all who have faith in Jesus’ divinity and resurrection (Romans 10:9) attain peace with God. Because of what Christ did, our sins are atoned for, and we receive the gift of eternal life (John 3:16). This was not something done on a whim or the act of a delusional madman. The peace we receive because of the actions of Jesus on that cross began with the decision by God to give up glory in heaven to come here in the first place. The peace we receive is the result of a plan that was initiated before any of us or any of our ancestors even understood how to speak to give God praise. God knew Adam was going to sin, that Cain would sin, and that Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, and everyone else down the line would sin. So, in the hope (Last week’s theme) that we would choose life, God offers us a road to salvation through Christ. The ultimate goal for this divine hope of God is reconciliation and peace.

One benefit of adhering to the yearly Advent tradition is that it intentionally allows us time and space to reflect on Biblical themes that we might not often consider. It also provides an opportunity to deliberately read scripture related to that theme and offer prayers pertaining to it. So, that is how I will close out this sermon, with an Advent prayer focused on peace; please bow your heads.

O God, we all encounter temptations that lead us away from peace. It is often difficult to remember that our true sense of peace comes from our identity as your children and keepers of the faith. Please help us to recognize when we live in unrest and forgive us for our missteps. During this Advent season, center our thoughts on Christ and remind us that He is the prince of peace and that our salvation is secure. Teach us that guided by the Holy Spirit, peace resides within us, is everlasting, and can flourish in any circumstance. Show us, Lord, how to embody that peace each day. We ask for this in your sacred name, Amen.

Works Cited

Farrow, Douglas. (2000). Fall. In The Oxford Companion to Christian Thought: Intellectual, Spiritual, and Moral Horizons of Christianity (Vol. 1). New York, New York, USA: Oxford University Press.

Meeks, W. A., Bassler, P. J., Lemke, T. W., Mays, P. J., Niditch, P. S., & Schuller, P. E. (Eds.). (1993). The Harper Collins Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version with the Apocryphal and Deuterocanonical Books. New York: Harper Collins Publishers.

NIV Study Bible. (2011). Grand rapids, MI: Zondervan.

NRSVue. (2022). NRSVue Holy Bible with Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal Books of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Shanks, A. (2000). Peace. In The Oxford Companion to Christian Thought: Intellectual, Spiritual, and Moral Horizons of Christianity (Vol. 1). New York, New York, New York: Oxford University Press.