Thought of the Week-Dec 11, 2022.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace”. Isaiah 9:6

Dear Friends, this week’s message is from your Christian Brother, Clement. Grace and peace from God and father of Lord Jesus Christ be with us all during this season of “Adventus”. In the season of Advent, we normally light of the candles on Advent wreath and have a Carol Service.

The Bible reading quoted above from Isaiah is normally one of the Bible lessons in “The Nine lessons and Carol Service”. Isaiah was one of the Major Prophets of the Bible and as we light the second purple candle on the Advent wreath, we remember the “Prophets”. A Prophet (nabi in Hebrew or prophetes in Greek) is God’s spokesperson called to speak God’s words to believers or a nation. The primary role of Prophets are either forth-telling- speaking encouragement, instruction and rebuke, or fore-telling that is, warning God’s people of future events. In 1. Corinthians 14:3- we see that, the one who prophesies bring to men-strength, encouragement and comfort, things that edifies or builds the church (oikodomeo ekklesia in Greek).

In the Old Testament, we see Prophets such as Moses, Miriam, Deborah, Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc. and in the New Testament, we encounter Prophets such as John the Baptist, Simeon, Anna, Agabus, etc., but the supreme Prophet in the Bible was our Lord Jesus Christ (a Prophet, Priest and King). Jesus in his forth- telling warns God’s children to repent for the kingdom of God is near (Mark 1: 15) and in his foretelling prophesied the future destruction of Jerusalem (Matthew 24 and Luke 21:20-24). However, in our current dispensation when we do not have Prophets, believers have the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit and hopefully, He will lead and guide us into all truth and declare onto us what is to come (John 16:13). He will also be our counsellor and comforter at all times and assure us of our glorious life with God in future, if we believe and are faithful to our calling.

Our world today, despite the many good positive things happening,  is plagued with wars and conflicts such the on- going war between Russia and Ukraine, environmental issues like flooding in Pakistan, cases of famine and need as  we see in East Africa, etc. and governments unable to find answers to our worldly problems. Isaiah 9:6 quoted above teaches  us; it is only by relying on a government resting on the Humanity of Christ( as a man), His Deity (as the son of God), His wise counsel (as a Wonderful Counsellor), His eternal love (as an Everlasting Father) and His Everlasting Peace or Shalom( as the Prince of Peace),  can there be the righteousness, justice and love which will ensure peace in our world.

The second purple candle on the Advent wreath in some instances signifies Peace (Eirene in Greek). A true peace that our world cannot give but a Peace given only by the power of indwelling Holy Spirit in every believer. That Peace, as we see in Galatians 3:28, enables us to put aside all our differences with others and to see each other as brothers and sisters in the big family of Christ. This peace allows us to trust in God only and not in ourselves or in our abilities. This peace goes beyond fighting with others, but it is a true Shalom or a slice of heaven that allows us to look at others and see what God sees in each one of us. Lastly, it is a peace where the Prince of Peace Himself leads us now and always. Amen.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for sending your Son into our world because you love us so much. We thank you for this love, despite our weaknesses. May we on our part love you Heavenly Father, and learn to love each other as you love us. This week as we light the second candle on the Advent wreath dedicated to the Prophets, may we follow the example of the Prophets in humbling ourselves so that we can hear you speaking to us through the power of the Holy Spirit.  May this candle, which also symbolises Peace, remind us of your Peace- a fruit of the Spirit and may your peace, which surpasses our human understanding, surround us all now and always. We make this our prayer, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ our great Emmanuel and the Prince of our Peace. Amen