Shadow of Death

The event of the Epiphany augurs for humanity the blessings of peace. Yet that is conditioned by our efforts to spread the gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15), versus the prejudices of hate spreading throughout the world.. We must help the pursuit of peace by doing our share in the spread of the lessons of love, forgiveness, justice, humility, and respect, all contained in the code of ethics of the Lord Jesus, the Savior of mankind. The prophecies of Isaiah can enlighten us on this work for peace. “The people who walk in darkness have seen a great light. A light has dawned on those who live in the land of the shadow of death” (Is. 9:1-2). Why we must do our part of the game is because another prophecy of Isaiah talks of the environment of peace where the knowledge of the Lord is spread as waters covering the sea: “From the stump of Jesse a shoot will come forth; from his roots a branch will grow and bear fruit. The spirit of the Lord will rest upon him – a Spirit of counsel and of power, a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord – that he may rule in the fear of the Lord. Not by appearances will he judge, nor by what is said must he decide, but with justice he will judge the poor and with righteousness decide for the meek. Like a rod, his word will strike the oppressor, and the breath of his lips slay the wicked. Justice will be the girdle of his waist, truth the girdle of his loins. The wolf will dwell with the lamb, the leopard will take rest with the kid, the calf and the lion cub will feed together and a little child will lead them. Befriending each other, the cow and the bear will see their young ones lie down together. Like cattle, the lion will eat hay. By the cobra’s den the infant will play. Into the viper’s lair the child will put his hand. No one will harm or destroy over my holy mountain, for as water fills the sea the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord’ (Is. 11:1-9). Amid all the anguish and sufferings of our people because of war and conflicts and evacuations, let us give peace a chance by spreading the gospel of peace, love, justice, and care of the Lord Jesus, as our last hope for peace in a beleaguered world.