Peace on earth

Blog #4 in a four-part series. If you're new to this series, go check out #1, #2, and #3 before reading this one.

A few years ago I read A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren. A section of that book is called “The seven Jesuses I have known” (Anyone know a better way to make “Jesus” plural? Never had to do it before). In this section McLaren discusses the ins and outs of various segments of Christendom he has been involved with and their views of how God interacts with the world. I think my favorite at the time was Greek Orthodox Jesus. According to McLaren, Greek Orthodox Jesus came not only to bring salvation so that people can spend eternity in heaven with God, but also to redeem all of creation, here, starting immediately. This appealed to me at the time I read it, and still does. The segment of Christendom I grew up in puts a strong emphasis on salvation. Sometimes the emphasis on salvation was so strong that it seemed like it was the only thing Jesus came to do, and by extension, the only thing that was important to a person who considered themself religious. The Christian life was like an elevator. Once someone made the decision to enter they could stand and stare at the door, twiddling their thumbs and not looking at anyone else until the door opened at the top and they stepped out into glory. But Greek Orthodox Jesus was different. Of course He came to save us from our sins, but He also came to bring His kingdom here to earth, to set right all that was marred in Eden. I have always loved Christmas carols because many of them capture this concept well.

God gives us our first hint of Messiah just as we are beginning to understand the gravity of our situation (Genesis 3:15). After a few failed attempts at self-redemption and a good long look at the consequences of our mistake, we know how vital this Messiah will be. We now see that everything we were created to appreciate hangs on God keeping this promise.

Long lay the world in sin and error pining, till He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

But high from God’s heaven a star’s light did fall; The promise of the ages it then did recall.

Word of the Father now in flesh appearing.

Long desired, behold Him come

This, of all things, was the resolution we had been waiting for. Of course many did not understand. How could we? How is it possible that a baby could make the kind of difference we needed? But it was true.

Born a child and yet a king
Born to reign in us forever
Born to set thy people free

Glorious now behold Him arise – King and God and Sacrifice.
Alleluia, alleluia! Earth to heav’n replies.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Immanuel!

It is difficult to grasp how far-reaching this redemption is: it is both personal –

Now ye hear of endless bliss; Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this. He hath opened heaven’s door and man is blessed forever more. Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save.

In all our trials born to be our Friend. He knows our need- to our weakness no stranger. Behold your King; before him lowly bend!

Peace on earth and mercy mild God and sinners reconciled

Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.

And reaches throughout all of fallen creation.

He comes to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found

So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav’n

Truly He taught us to love one another; His law is love and His gospel is peace.

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, goodwill to men.”

After looking for redemption in all the wrong places, this was the solution. A God who lived with us, worked in us to set wrongs right, and now works through us to set the world’s wrongs right.

Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother, and in His name all oppression shall cease.

In this we can now rest, and let everyone know their struggle can be over.

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.