Invitation to Peace
by Joel Bidderman
Matthew 1:18-25
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of
the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given
birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us). When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of
the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given
birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.
The peace of God is not about the mere absence of conflict, but rather, it is His abiding presence throughout whatever comes our way. The peace of God is synonymous with His abiding presence. The invitation for Joseph was not to resolve the conflicting situation, rather it was to trust in God’s narrative of the situation. For Joseph, that was the way he was saying “yes” to the Holy Spirit. And I love that the prophecy of the virgin birth in Isaiah (referenced in this passage) unveils the identity of Jesus as being “Immanuel” (God with us). We see the truth of this in John chapter 14 also. It was the night that Jesus was going to be betrayed and handed over to be crucified. He and the disciples had the Passover meal together, and as things unfolded that night, He shared important truths with the disciples, as well as explaining what was coming, He said:
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:25-27)
So, the peace of God is synonymous with His abiding presence. And because of this, an experience of the presence of God changes things. It brings peace. Doing life period, let alone the adventure of following Jesus, can be scary – but He gives us His Spirit. And it makes all the difference in the world.
“These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:25-27)
So, the peace of God is synonymous with His abiding presence. And because of this, an experience of the presence of God changes things. It brings peace. Doing life period, let alone the adventure of following Jesus, can be scary – but He gives us His Spirit. And it makes all the difference in the world.
Questions:
- Can you recall a time that you experienced the Peace of God in the midst of a difficult or scary situation?
- Where do you long to experience the Peace of God in your life today?
Action:
Pray and ask the Lord for more of Him and His peace in your life.