For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased." Luke 2:13-14
Everyone wants peace. Yet our time is like Jeremiah’s: “‘Peace, peace,’ they say, when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). Many Americans live in comfortable homes, but domestic violence is at an all-time high. Our cities are the most modern in the world, yet the streets are unsafe Our communication technology is unsurpassed, but there has never been more misunderstanding. In fact, people come to church so filled with anxiety that it is almost impossible for sermons to put them to sleep.
Where can we go for peace? Where on this earth can we discover lasting and fulfilling peace? For many, the destination for finding peace may seem preposterous. The place of peace is actually a misnomer. Peace is found in a person. The only lasting peace comes from the One known as the Prince of Peace.
Who Is This Prince of Peace?
Of the four titles given to our Lord Jesus Christ in Isaiah’s prophecy, this one speaks to the deepest needs of the human heart. Peace was the supreme longing of the true Israelite and was the promised fulfillment of the Messiah’s reign: so they sang and hoped and waited for the coming Prince of peace. It was a deep longing for the one who would come and change their lives...even their world.
Isaiah had foretold the coming of a child worthy of the title, Prince of Peace. A title such as Prince of Peace doesn’t just happen. A title is received as a birthright, or it is conferred by royalty. Such a title conveys a family bond to a ruling monarch and a legitimate claim to honor.
What was Jesus’ claim to this title? In what ways was He a prince?
- • He was the Son of the Master of the Universe, and the son of a king is a prince.
- • He gave to those who became His followers the gift of a special kind of peace, a peace far more enduring than any peace earthly kings have ever been able to accomplish. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.” John 14:27
What Kind of Peace Does the Prince Give?
The Prince of peace came to bring us peace with God and the peace of God.
- • Peace with God is spiritual peace. “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)
- • The peace of God is emotional peace. We must have peace with God before we can experience the peace of God—emotional peace—an internal sense of well-being and order. The Scripture says, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace.” (1 Cor. 14:33) This peace is not the absence of conflict, but it is an ability to cope with the conflicts and frustrations of life. Even in the midst of difficulties, God’s peace will be present.
The Prince of peace wants to give us peace, and He is ready to present that gift to us if we only accept it.
Scripture to Claim:
And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Colossians 3:15
