Last week I tried to get you to see that Jesus experienced ordinary things.

Can you see Jesus laughing and smiling, as someone tells a joke?  Can you picture Jesus shaking his head as he has to explain a parable to the disciples, for the third time?  Can you see Jesus taking the hand of a dear friend and having a quiet conversation with him?  Jesus doing ordinary things and all the time he was teaching the love of the Father.

God had a plan for Jesus and he would fulfill that plan.

Jesus lived in such a way to show us the joy.

FULFILLED

I did not intend for this to be a series.  I thought comparing Jesus to a carpet cleaner would be a stand-alone blog.  But, as usually happens, that blog pointed out the hope we have because a baby was born.  The next blog explained how the birth of the baby was only the beginning of God’s plan.  Jesus was sent to teach the love of the Father.  The third blog, hopefully, helped you see Jesus finding joy as he spent time enjoying nature and ordinary things.  And this blog –

Advent uses the words Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace so you are assuming this blog is on Peace.  You are right.

The beauty queen contestant is asked the question, “What matters the most to you?”  The contestant leans forward, speaks into the mic, and says, “World Peace.”  Let’s get real.  If the contestant was honest, the answer would be, “Winning the title of Miss America.”

PEACE

Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.  Luke 2:14  KJV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27  NIV

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  Romans 5:1 NIV

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7 NIV

When we read these verses on peace, we realize that the peace that came to earth was a personal peace.  Jesus provided a way for our ole sinful lives to obtain peace with God.  Now, nowhere does it say that the peace that transcends all understanding will make our life a piece of cake.  BUT it will take away our fear and guard our hearts and minds. 

For some reason, this Christmas season, my mind cannot separate Christmas and Easter.  It is as if Jesus went from the manger to the Cross.

God sent a baby and the baby Jesus gave us HOPE.

Jesus began his ministry to teach the LOVE of the Father.

Jesus lived in such a way to show us the JOY.

Jesus provided a way for us to obtain PEACE with God.

AND (a very important ‘and’ – like ‘therefore’ in the scriptures) God’s plan was fulfilled.

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.  Mark 16:19

Merry Christmas