Longing for Shalom

Isaiah 7-8

“Shalom is one of the key words and images for salvation in the Bible. The Hebrew word refers most commonly to a person being uninjured and safe, whole and sound. In the New Testament, shalom is revealed as the reconciliation of all things to God through the work of Christ. Shalom experienced is multidimensional, complete well-being — physical, psychological, social, and spiritual; it flows from all of one’s relationships being put right — with God, with(in) oneself, and with others.” - Tim Keller

1. Humanity, suffering under the curse of the fall, longs for shalom, for all to be well.

Then the LORD God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever - ” therefore the LORD God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.  He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.  - Genesis 3:22–24(ESV)

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it,  in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit,  groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.   - Romans 8:18–23a(ESV)

2. God is sovereignly and graciously making all things new in Jesus, our Immanuel.

Matthew 1:18-25

John 1:10-18

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”John 1:10-18  - Luke 2:13–14( ESV)

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace. - Ephesians 2:13–14a (ESV)