The Coming King of Peace
& Ev: Isaiah 11:1–10 & Ep: Matthew 3:1-12
A. Introduction
This prophecy is addressed to Israel,
possibly under the king Ahaz who is highlighted in p.7. He is a king who fears
man rather than God, and the Messianic prophecy in 8:23-9:6 describes a
different king than Ahaz, a king of peace whose kingdom is based on justice.
Then, pp.9-11 tell the next story, the story of Israel's punishment followed by
rescue. The punishment of Ephraim (Northern Israel) is described in 9:7-10:4.
Salvation begins with that instrument of punishment, Assyria, being punished in
turn for its evil ways (Isa 10:5-19), so that the remnant of Israel can be saved
(10:20-27a). The way that happened is perhaps described in 10:27b-34, where
Aysur steps up to attack Jerusalem but is like a great tree cut down. The
prophecies concerned first of all things that happened during Isaiah's time,
i.e. Northern Israel fell k.l. 722 bc (cf. 2 Kings 17), and Assyria failed to
attack Jerusalem in 701 bc because of his arrogance (cf. Isa 36-37).
B. Description
In this context, God promises in our
passage a very different king from the Assyrian kings: a sprout (not a great
tree) that fears God and judges with justice. Even though it looks okay, the
Spirit of God is in him and he actually brings about the renewal of the world.
The following passage (11:11-16) tells about Israel (the northern part)
returning from exile, just as Israel was rescued from Egypt, so that Israel
could be reunited. Q.12 closes these chapters with praise for that salvation.
So, this passage gives Israel the
promise that God will restore Israel and even the whole earth through a Davidic
king who, in the power of God's Spirit, will establish justice by increasing
the oppressed and eliminating the wicked.
C. Reflection
1)
Ilustration: A king held a painting competition with the theme: Peace. Of the hundreds
of paintings painted, there are two paintings that the king really liked. But
the King had to choose one of the two paintings. The first painting depicts a
calm lake. The surface of the lake is like a mirror reflecting the serenity of
the mountains that rise up around it. Above the lake, there is a blue sky with
drifting white clouds. Everyone who looks at the painting will surely think
that this painting best depicts peace.
The second painting depicts mountains as
well. But dry and barren. Above him, the sky was painted clear and red
indicating a rainstorm was approaching, while lightning was seen flashing
wildly. On the side of the mountain was a cascade of bubbling cascades, which
did not seem the least bit serene. But there is something interesting. Behind
the waterfall, small bushes grow on the sidelines of the rock. Inside the bush,
a sparrow laid its nest. In the midst of the roar of the waterfall, a sparrow
was quietly incubating its eggs.
Finally, the king decided that the
second painting was the winner. Why? Because peace doesn't mean we have to be
in a place without fuss, trouble, or mountains of work. Peace is a calm and
prosperous heart even though we are in the midst of extraordinary commotion.
Our situation is the same as the second
picture of the painting. Problems and struggles come and go. Crime is rampant.
People ask: is there still peace? Where is there peace?. Therefore the world
today desperately needs peace.
2)
The celebration that we will soon be
carrying out is Christmas. Christmas is a celebration of Peace. We are told
that Peace has come among mankind. The King of peace, Jesus Christ, proclaims
His peace for us. Our readings talk about the coming Prince of Peace who works
on restoration, a peace. There are three kinds of recovery. The first
restoration is the restoration of the relationship between man and God (verses
1-5). This is manifested by the sprout from the stump of Jesse being filled
with the Spirit of God and leading justly. The second restoration is the
restoration of the relationship between humans and nature (verses 6-9). Here
first of all it is described that there is a harmony between nature and nature
itself. However, it was also stated that humans and nature would no longer be
enemies. Both humans and nature mingle and glorify their creator. The third
restoration is the restoration of human relations with humans (verses 10-16).
The survivors will be gathered again, and together they will give thanks to God
who saved them. This is a picture of peace by the coming Prince of Peace. The
peace that is in this reading is the peace that is experienced because of the
knowledge of God (verse 9). Peace from God. Peace because of God's work. Peace
is meant not only because the stomach is full there is plenty of food and drink
in December but how to be a blessing to others. It's not just a matter of
making peace with others in December, but how to be an instrument of peace
throughout life. Indeed, humans cannot achieve peace without God.
In divine wisdom, this Prince of Peace
will not judge with a glance, but judges to the depths of one's heart. As a
wise king, he also has extraordinary composure so that he is not easy to make
decisions according to what people say. It feels like two things money needs to
be owned by every believer nowadays, considering that sometimes it's so easy
for us to judge or make decisions based only on what we see, feel, or hear !
3)
Come on, let's give our best to God by
providing our heart space filled with God's grace; present our lives as a
fragrant offering before God; serving God with the spirit of Christ's love;
open yourself to experience repentance every day so that you are more like
Christ. Even living the love of Christ by being a true doer of love for others.
How happy it would be if we could live
peacefully on earth. We will enjoy a safe, peaceful, comfortable and peaceful
atmosphere. There is no evil, suffering, or disease. All live in joy and
happiness. In fact, this atmosphere has been presented by Jesus Christ through
the process of atonement for sins that He has done.
The King of Peace, namely Jesus Christ,
is present in our hearts. Then He will restore the condition of our lives which
are down and destroyed because of sin. Even the Prince of Peace will save us
from the penalty of sin and give His peace. And later, when He comes the second
time, then we will live together with Him in peace in His eternal kingdom.
4)
In this Advent Season we look forward to
His presence which we need to realize and experience. He comes and is present
also experienced in a heart that is ready, in a heart that is on guard, so that
it becomes a blessing to those who are ready to welcome Him.
Why do we wait for Him in hope. Because
Jesus is the bringer of salvation, the bringer of peace, the bringer of fullness,
the healer of wounds, because He is Emmanuel, God with us. He comes at any
time, at the most unexpected time. Every moment counts when we live for Christ,
when we believe in Him, when we are open to welcome Him, when our lives are
always directed towards Him and when we are fully aware of preparing for His
coming. We watch full of hope because we don't even know when the Lord will
come. Advent is very special because we wait for Him in hope. And when we have
hope, we will never be disappointed. Amen.
