Luke brings us to Palm Sunday with the announcement “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” It is a curious observation that only Luke brought us to Christmas with “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”
Raymond Brown calls it a fascinating touch that “the same kind of poetry used to hail Jesus as the Messiah at the end of his ministry is used to announce the birth of the Messiah.” He also points out that “the angels of heaven recognized at the beginning of Jesus’ life what the disciples came to know only at the end, namely, the presence of the Messiah King who comes in the name of the Lord.”
Early in the Gospel we find heavenly beings calling for peace on earth. Late in the Gospel we find earthly beings calling for peace in heaven. At the very least we acknowledge the artistic touch these references provide in the Gospel. Perhaps Luke wants us to know that there is a connection between what happens on earth and heaven. Perhaps he wants to imply that only after walking with Jesus is a disciple able to recognize who he is. Could he also be suggesting that peace is related somehow to the arrival of Jesus? Or simply emphasizing that God is glorified in the presence of Jesus?
Interesting observations.