Feb 13-14, 2021
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Simon Lee
Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,
Peace. World peace. Inner peace. We all want peace. But peace is so fleeting and so elusive.
In the Inauguration of President Biden, the young 22-year-old African American poet laureate, Amanda Gorman, read a composition she wrote called, “The Hill We Climb.” An excerpt on world peace relevant to our thought here is as follows:
Scripture tells us to envision
that everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree
and no one shall make them afraid.
If we’re to live up to our own time,
then victory won’t lie in the blade.
But in all the bridges we’ve made,
that is the promise to glade,
the hill we climb.
The phrase “everyone shall sit under their own vine and fig tree” alludes to a verse found in the Bible Micah 4:4. The context of the allusion is a time of peace, a metaphorical time and place where one feels secure. This sense of security allows the people to enjoy their personal freedom without fear of being disturbed by external powers. The passage (Micah 4:3-5) actually speaks of the Lord’s rule of peace, but this predicates on the people following God’s ways. The Biblical imagery is applied to the hope for peace today in America. How wonderful it would be if the truth here is fully applied, for peace would indeed come.
In my graduate training at UBC in professional counselling psychology, I studied the work of world-renowned family therapy pioneer, Dr. Virginia Satir. One of the meditations she wrote was: Peace Within, Peace Between, Peace Among. Even though her aspiration was not based on Christian teaching, nevertheless we can see “peace” is what the world seeks. “Peace” is also what we Christian seeks. But how is the peace that we have different from the world’s?
We had looked at the first and second stanza of Crown him with many crowns (HL#9), which focused on “The Lamb upon his throne” and “Crown Him the Lord of Love.” Now we look at the third stanza: “Crown him the Lord of peace!”
The lyrics is as follows:
Crown him the Lord of peace! Whose power a scepter sways,
From pole to pole,–that wars may cease, Absorbed in prayer and praise:
his reign shall know no end, And round his pierced feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend Their fragrance ever sweet.
The Scriptural imagery and background of this stanza is found in the book of Hebrews, where the author is making the point that the Son is superior to angels. God says of the Son,
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness. So God, your God, has anointed you over your companions with the oil of rejoicing.” (Heb 1:8, 9)
Jesus Christ the King has come to rule with a scepter of righteousness in His hand. His throne is eternal. Therefore we can all rejoice. The author of Hebrews is actually quoting, from Psalm 45:6-7,
“Your throne, O God, is permanent. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of justice. 7 You love justice and hate evil. For this reason God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of joy, elevating you above your companions.”
We can see the sacrificial Lamb of God, the Lord of Love, is described here as the Lord of peace and righteousness. What is declared in the Old Testament is the final triumph of King David’s Son, the Messiah, who is also God. Therefore, the author of Hebrews want to underscore the fact that the Son is superior to angels because He is God. The scepter He holds is not only a symbol of power, but of righteousness and justice. Peace comes from the rule of righteousness and justice by Jesus Christ who is the Lord of Peace. We can find this concept proclaimed also by the prophet Isaiah in these words found in Isa 9:6, “For a child has been born to us, a son has been given to us. He shoulders responsibility and is called: Amazing Adviser, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. The messiah King is called the “Prince of Peace.”
The peace that Jesus brings is from the rule of righteousness, but it is not just worldly peace but an inner peace, the peace of Christ himself as Jesus says in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.” The disciples of Jesus were worried about their well being and security when Jesus their master announced to them that He was leaving them. But Jesus assured them that even though physically He is not going to be with them, He will leave His peace with them. Jesus Emmanuel is “God with us,” and as we abide in Him, He abides in us. That is the assurance we all have in all our troubles, including the current pandemic.
Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, teaches them to rejoice always and not be anxious about anything. Paul then shows them the secret of overcoming anxiety with these words, “Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phi.4:6,7) But then he goes further to urge them to walk with Christ constantly as it would result in “the God of peace will be with you,” meaning the indwelling of God of Peace Himself in us always. Yes, pray when you are anxious, you will have the peace of God. But how much better when you live a prayerful life centred in Christ, because in so doing, the God of peace is with you all the time, come rain or shine.
Let us therefore crown Him the Lord of Peace.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Simon Lee