December 24 - Perfect Peace

December 24 - Perfect Peace

Isaiah 11:1-9

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. (Isaiah 11:1)

Jesus, directly descended from King David, the son of Jesse was the Messiah that the Israelites had been waiting for. Isaiah saw Him as the future King of all of the nations.

In this passage, we see that the Spirit of the Lord rested upon him - the Spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge. (Isaiah 11:2-3)

Matthew 3:16 says, "At that moment heaven was opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'"

Jesus fulfilled much of this prophecy in Isaiah when He came to earth over 2000 years ago. He brought judgment and justice, taught righteousness and faithfulness. (Isaiah 11:3b-5)

When the angels announced His birth to the shepherds in Luke 2:12-14, they brought tidings of peace. But, the reality of that peace was not to be found in the world, it was to be found inside each person as they came to know Jesus personally.

It won't be until He returns again that the world will know peace.

This is what we wait for as we prepare for His coming.

"The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the yong child put his hand into the viper's nest." (Isaiah 11:6-8)

Perfect peace. There will no longer be prey and predator, but everything that seems to work in opposition will become unified and cohesive.

When Jesus brings about the New Jerusalem, the New Earth ... Isaiah's prophecy will be fulfilled. "They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11:9)

Perfect peace. A peace that only the Son of God can bring to us. As we celebrate His birth and look forward to His return, we know that it is only through Him that we can find this perfect peace.