GREAT EXPECTATIONS

 Isaiah 9:2-7; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14

Shalom aleichem ...

PEACE BE UNTO YOU ...

Asomdwoe nka wo ...

Introduction 

Shalom is a Hebrew word that is translated as Peace. Shalom, essentially means harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, well-being, and tranquility of life.

Shalom aleichem; well-being upon you, may it be well with your whole being.

The appropriate response to this greeting is;

Aleichem shalom; – upon you be well-being.

Peace of humanity distorted.

Throwback from Genesis reminds us of why so much emphasis on shalom/peace is made.

The Bible makes it so clear to us that at the end of every batch of creation, God saw that it was good (Gen. 1:4,10,12,18,21,25,31). When God sees them to be good, it indicates soundness, wholeness, completeness, perfection, holiness, etc. They were simply shalom.

If all the things created by God were of shalom why the birth of the Prince of Peace?

Sedo-Peace: The things that seem to bring us peace but are not.

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you..." John 14:27 

The world may offer us something that looks like peace but it is full of trouble. For instance;

- One benefiting from a sinful act may seem to give peace and comfort.

- "I am ok so long as no one is enjoying better than I am" or "I am also benefitting and getting what I want in life so..."

God cares about the process you go through to attain what you have. The statement, "the end justifies the means" is unChristian. We must dissociate ourselves from it.

It was sin that brought the loss of God's shalom upon humanity. When humanity sinned against God in the garden, we distorted the perfect creations of God. 

Prince of Peace

It has always been two sides. The Prince of Darkness rules over the earth and its inhabitants (Eph. 2:2). 

God so loved us, even in our sinful state He had compassion on us and gave His only begotten Son; a chance to enjoy His shalom.

So, in Isaiah 9:6 "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."

Christ, the Saviour of this earth comes to restore unto us the shalom that we had lost to the devil through sin. He is the Prince of Peace who takes away our troubled hearts and our fears.

John 14:27 "...Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

The Apostle sums it up by saying, "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." Titus 2:11-14

Isaiah proclaimed that the Prince of peace would increase the joy of nations and break the yoke of burden and the rod of oppressors. (Isa. 9:4-5) 

The shalom of God does not just bring to us happiness but joy. The Christian may not be found in the best of life conditions, meanwhile, because of shalom, the hope of glory is a reality.

The angels said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Luke 2:14

Conclusion

Humanity lost the initial shalom of "it was good". In Christ alone, this perfect peace is found. 

I invite you to rebuild or build a genuine relationship with God. Christ is born unto us to bring us peace, perfect peace. Do not be deceived by what the devil presents as peace.

Shalom aleichem...