“I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people. Today in the town of David, a Saviour has been born to you.” (Luke 2:10-11)
How to eat a burger?
What is the best way to eat a burger? Should we grab it with both hands and stuff it into our mouths, not caring what spatters out on either side? Or is it best to be more civilised and eat your burger with a knife and fork, carefully slicing off small chunks to place carefully in your mouth?
My guess is that probably you think it doesn’t matter. Each to their own. But I came across an article the other day, which said that a woman had been kicked out of a restaurant because she was eating her burger with a knife and fork! Apparently, it was the restaurant rules that you had to use your hands to eat a burger.
What an outrage!!!
Rage Bait…
Or was it?
This year, the Oxford University Press decided its word of the year was ‘rage bait.’
Rage bait is online content that deliberately provokes a strong emotional reaction in you, so that you will respond or comment. Many posts are interesting or funny, you may read them, but you will soon scroll on. If the post makes you angry, however, then you are more likely to engage, to make a comment or add a horrified emoji.
The thing is the more comments or reactions a post receives, the more it will be promoted by the algorithms and the more money the content creator will receive. Rage bait is a lucrative business.
The story about being kicked out of a restaurant for eating a burger with a knife and fork was of course a fake story. It was rage bait made for fun. But the author has become very wealthy making similar stories!
The sad truth is we are all more easily engaged by appealing to our base instincts, like pride, lust, greed and anger. That is how we can be manipulated by people to make us do what we want. Historically, leaders have tapped into people’s anger to build their power and cause wars, which lead to destruction and heartache.
Prince of Peace
Jesus, however, was announced by the angels to be the bringer of peace. He comes not to stir up anger, but to lead us in the way of joy and peace.
The term Prince of Peace comes from Isaiah 9, a prophecy looking forward to a better ruler. It is a passage written to a people being oppressed by angry warring nations and looks forward to a time, when wars will cease, joy will break out and the Prince of Peace will come. He is the son, that is given to us the child who is born for us.
But, what is so special about the promised Prince of Peace? Why might we want him to be our leader? How can he bring us personally joy and peace now?
Is this the leader we need?
As well as the term, Prince of Peace, Isaiah uses three other titles for this coming king. The King Christians claim is Jesus.
Wonderful Counsellor:
First of all, he is a “Wonderful Counsellor.” In our world we find counsel from all kinds of sources. Through the internet, we can find counsellors from all over the world, commentators and influencers with all kinds of different ideas and philosophies. But, why should we choose one human over another to be our guide in life?
Perhaps we should allow Artificial Intelligence to guide us? But that is also a very poor guide, mainly because it is simply trying to imitate human thinking, not offering us anything better and often something worse.
The claim, however, is that Jesus is a wonderful counsellor. ‘Wonderful’ suggests something beyond mere human, it points to his divine nature and wisdom.
And when we look at Jesus, we see his teaching, which is so powerful, memorable and radical. Here is not a preacher of anger, but someone who says, “Blessed are the peacemakers” and “love your enemies”. Someone, who appeals not to our base instincts, but call us to a better way of life.
Isn’t this a leader you can trust for the best guidance in life?
Mighty God:
Secondly, he is described as ‘Mighty God.’ Leaders in our world build their power on military strength. But in the Bible, we are encouraged to put our trust in God to save us. After all Israel did not escape Egypt by military strength, but by the power of God.
In the same way, Jesus came demonstrating the power of God, through miracles that healed sickness, calmed storms and even raised the dead. He didn’t live by the sword, but in dying at the hands of military executioners he overcame the power of death itself by rising again on the third day.
Jesus may not meet our immediate desires, but he offers to give us lasting joy and security. Isn’t this a leader you can trust for your ultimate security?
Eternal Father:
Thirdly, he is called, “Eternal Father.” When the term, ‘Father’ is used of a leader if suggests a caring authority. Many leaders are in it for their own status, power or wealth gathering. Fortunately, they never last!
Jesus, however, said that he had come not to be served, but to serve. To give his life as a ransom for many. And that is what he did through his sacrifice on the cross to save us from our sins. He showed deep care for us, a care that continue because his reign is eternal.
Isn’t this a leader you can trust to care for your needs, not just now but always?
Rage Bait or Peaceful Rule
So, what will you let lead you this Christmas? Rage bait or peaceful rule?
Will you allow yourself to continue to be manipulated by those who appeal to your base instincts, or the one who offers you wonderful counsel, eternal security and caring support?
Can I invite you this Christmas to consider following Jesus. I would love to give you a copy of Luke’s gospel, so that you can read it and find out more about the Prince of Peace and see whether he might be a better leader for your life.
St. George's Church Ramsgate 