Message: Make the Way Straight / Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, 
    “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 
    ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, 
    make his paths straight. 
    Every valley shall be filled, 
    and every mountain and hill shall be made low, 
    and the crooked shall be made straight, 
    and the rough ways made smooth; 
    and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”

Today, on the second Sunday of Advent, we reflect on Jesus Christ, who brings true peace to the world. The word “peace” has always been powerful and significant throughout history. The English word peace comes from the Latin pax, meaning “peace, agreement, treaty, harmony, and absence of conflict.” 

The Hebrew word shalom (שָׁלוֹם) carries a deeper meaning. It is not just the absence of war or strife but a state of wholeness, completeness, and well-being. Shalom encompasses peace with God, with others, with creation, and within oneself.

In Korean, peace is pyeong-hwa (평화), a word derived from two Chinese characters. Pyeong (平) means “flat” or “equal,” and Hwa (和) combines the characters for “grain or rice” (禾) and “mouth” (口), which literally means "eating rice fairly." In this sense, peace is a state where life’s necessities are shared fairly, and no one is left hungry or excluded.

However, peace is broken when a few in power try to take away the rights and resources of others. Peace is shattered when power is abused, and human dignity is denied. Conflict and violence arise when those in power seek to dominate others instead of pursuing justice and compassion.

Recently, I heard shocking news from South Korea. Last Tuesday, around 10 pm, the president declared martial law. This hadn’t happened since 1980, during the military dictatorship that violently suppressed the democracy movement. Many Koreans were frightened because martial law was used by dictators to crush democracy in the past.

But within three hours, martial law was overturned. Lawmakers and citizens quickly gathered at the National Assembly before the military could take control. They built barricades and stood firm, even when armed soldiers arrived. Some members of parliament, including the Speaker of the House, arrived slightly late and had to climb over fences to get inside. By 1 am, 190 out of 300 lawmakers had gathered and voted unanimously to cancel martial law. According to the constitution, the president had no choice but to accept their decision.

This swift and courageous response showed that democracy in South Korea remains strong. It reminded me of the sacrifices made by so many young students, workers, activists, and ordinary citizens who gave their lives fighting against past dictatorships. Their struggle for peace and justice has left a lasting legacy. 

However, the chaos caused by the president’s extreme action still hasn’t fully disappeared. I ask for your prayers for the people of Korea. 

In today’s Gospel, Luke begins by naming the political and religious leaders of the time: Roman Emperor Tiberius, Governor Pontius Pilate, regional rulers Herod, Philip, and Lysanias, as well as the high priests Annas and Caiaphas. This introduction is more than just a historical reference. It sets up a striking contrast between worldly power and the humble messenger of God, John the Baptist.

The Roman Empire claimed to bring Pax Romana (Roman Peace), maintaining stability through military force. The empire expanded its territory, built infrastructure, and strengthened its economy. However, their peace came at a high cost for the oppressed and marginalized. Historians estimate that 35–40% of the population were slaves and most of them were owned by the wealthiest 1%. Social inequality was extreme.

Their prosperity was maintained by an oppressive hierarchical system and widespread discrimination. Men and women, masters and slaves, Roman citizens and non-citizens were strictly divided, with the latter often denied human dignity. While Roman citizens had legal rights to trials in Rome, non-citizens like Jesus could be arrested, tortured, and executed without a fair trial. The Bible tells us that it took less than a day from Jesus' arrest to his execution. Jesus’ crucifixion, which was the cruellest punishment at that time, exposed the illusion of Pax Romana. The empire’s peace was built on violence, oppression, and injustice.

In contrast, God’s peace is entirely different. It is founded on love, mercy, and grace for everyone. This peace leaves no room for violence, discrimination, or oppression. There is no Jew or Gentile, no slave or free, no male or female, for all are one in Christ (Galatians 3:28). In God’s reign, differences are not a basis for discrimination or marginalization but are instead blessings and gifts. 

In God’s peace, the powerful do not dominate the weak, and no one is burdened with anxiety or fear. Roman emperors sought to establish their peace by taking the lives of others, but Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, accomplished God’s peace by giving his own life. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus revealed the hope and dream that God’s peace could be realized in this world. 

In the midst of Pax Romana, John the Baptist cried out a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. He called people to turn away from the false peace, the illusion created by power and wealth, and return to God’s true peace. Repentance means turning back to God with our whole hearts. It is not just feeling sorry but changing our actions and aligning our lives with God’s justice.

When we turn back to God, others are no longer seen as strangers or separate from us. Turning back to God allows us to see each person as a beloved child of God. It reveals that all people in this world are one family. For this reason, John the Baptist said to those who came to him, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise” (3:11). To the tax collectors, he said, “Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you” (3:13). To the soldiers, he said, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages” (3:14). These were the guidelines at that time for the true path to peace, shalom, pyeonghwa.

When we repent and receive the grace of forgiveness from God, we can treat those we meet as if they were our own mother, father, brother, sister, son, or daughter. In this way, repentance fills the valleys of hurt and despair. Repentance tears down the mountains of pride and arrogance. Repentance makes the crooked paths of injustice straight and the rough ways of oppression smooth for Jesus Christ, who brings salvation to all in a world where true peace is realized.

As we prepare for the coming of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, let us open our hearts and commit ourselves to Christ’s way of hope, peace, joy, and love. The hands and hearts of all who brought White Gifts to this sanctuary today are a powerful sign of the possibility of God’s peace. During this Advent season, may all of us prepare the way for our Saviour and welcome true peace into our lives, our communities, and our world. 

Thanks be to God. Amen.


Rev. Min Hwang
South Stormont Pastoral Charge
St. Andrew's-St. Mark's United Church & Ingleside-Newington United Church
Advent 2, 2024

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