Scripture
Micah 5:2-4 MSG
“But you, Bethlehem, David’s country, the runt of the litter— From you will come the leader who will shepherd-rule Israel. He’ll be no upstart, no pretender. His family tree is ancient and distinguished. Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes until the birth pangs are over and the child is born, And the scattered brothers come back home to the family of Israel. He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by GOD ’s strength, centered in the majesty of GOD -Revealed. And the people will have a good and safe home, for the whole world will hold him in respect— Peacemaker of the world!”
Observation
Peace/Shalom - A pervasive concept in the Bible that most commonly relates to a relationship of love and loyalty with God and one another.
In the Old Testament, “peace” carries the fundamental meaning of welfare, prosperity, or wholeness as well as the absence of hostility
Micah, or Mikayahu, the small village Prophet, the contemporary of the Prophet Isaiah, targets people, and their behaviors that abuse power and privilege. God uses him to speak to the social & moral issues of the day. Micah speaks to...
- The rich who get richer through extortion & violence
- Merchants w/ scales weighted in their favor
- Judges who sell judgement for a bribe
- Prophets & Priests (the preachers) who say whatever the ppl will pay to hear
- Rulers who do whatever it takes to live in luxury & preserve their power
Jesus, is the prophesied Peacemaker
Matthew 2:1-6 TPT
“Jesus was born in Bethlehem near Jerusalem during the reign of King Herod. After Jesus’ birth a group of spiritual priests from the East came to Jerusalem and inquired of the people, “Where is the child who is born king of the Jewish people? We observed his star rising in the sky and we’ve come to bow before him in worship.” King Herod was shaken to the core when he heard this, and not only him, but all of Jerusalem was disturbed when they heard this news. So he called a meeting of the Jewish ruling priests and religious scholars, demanding that they tell him where the promised Messiah was prophesied to be born. “He will be born in Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,” they told him. “Because the prophecy states: And you, little Bethlehem, are not insignificant among the clans of Judah, for out of you will emerge the Shepherd-King of my people Israel!”
The Gospel According to Matthew is written toward the Jews, Mark toward the Romans, Luke toward the Greeks, and john toward those neither Jews nor Gentiles, but believers on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 9:35-38 NLT
“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
What is trauma? An event that is experienced that has lasting adverse effects on an individual’s ability to function.
It is an individual’s experience of the event, not necessarily the event itself, that is traumatizing.
The effect of trauma on an individual can be considered as a normal response to an abnormal situation.
Application
In Jesus, Yeshua, The Messiah, the Savior, we have HOPE, we have PEACE!
In Jesus, Yeshua, The Messiah, the Savior, we have HEALING, we have MERCY!
In Jesus, Yeshua, The Messiah, the Savior, we have HELP, JOY, and LOVE!!
It’s in Jesus, It’s all in Jesus!! Whatever we need can be found in Him!!
Hebrews 4:14-16 MSG
“Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.”
Prayer
Father, help us to see Jesus as the source of peace. Help us accept His love, mercy, and help.
