The Prince of Peace

Week 1 - We talked about the Messiah as the counselor

Week 2- The mighty God

Week 3 - The everlasting father

Today is the final name in our series Prince of Peace. Now here is another one of those titles that begs a couple of questions.

What is meant by this title?

Isaiah

Big Idea: connect the similarities of David’s kingdom to Jesus eternal reign.

Is the Messiah a peaceful prince or is He one that will bring peace?

Now some of you might be thinking aren’t these two ideas the same thing? Well not really. The first being a peaceful prince has the idea of one that does not engage in conflict or war. The second has the idea of one that brings peace even through some means including but not limited to conflict and war. So which one is it?

In order to get the right answer lets expand our textual reading to include both the previous scriptures through verse 7

Isaiah 9:1–7 CSB

Nevertheless, the gloom of the distressed land will not be like that of the former times when he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali. But in the future he will bring honor to the way of the sea, to the land east of the Jordan, and to Galilee of the nations. The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before you as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils. For you have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as you did on the day of Midian. For every trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire. For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.

It seems that this prophecy was given during a very dark period of Israel’s History oppression was both current and coming. It seemed as hope was a waste of time. It as the text describes was a time of deep darkness for the people of Israel.

Just like last week we need to investigate the words used here more thoroughly to get a better understanding of the name “Prince of Peace”.

The old testament word used here for “peace” is a probably familiar to you. It is Shalom.

Shalom has the idea of -well being, completeness, prosperity and security. In fact this Hebrew word is used twice in verses 6-7. In verse six it is translated prince of peace and in verse 7 prosperity.

Both of these uses show us a different aspect of this word.

In the Jewish mindset, Shalom was not a result of man’s striving but rather was a gift of God.

In fact, they would often use shalom as a greeting asking how is the peace in your soul.

I tell you that is a much deeper question than “How are you doing today?” How is the shalom of your soul?

So when the Messiah was called the prince of peace. He was being called the source of peace. Not just the one who would bring it but the very source of peace.

But that still brings us to the question of How would this “Shalom”, this peace be ushered in.

The messiah being the prince of peace would his presence merely be enough to usher peace in for eternity or would he need to conquer his enemies like the Mighty God that he is?

The answer to these questions is “yes”.

Two ways the Messiah will usher in eternal shalom.

I. Through His presence.

Luke 2:14 CSB

Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!

When the angels announced the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds in the field. They announced an immediate peace to the earth. His presence was the beginning of knowing peace.

For The prince of peace, the source of peace had come. Those who would come to the messiah would know peace. Not just in the objective way but they could actually know the one from which true peace comes. They could know Jesus Christ, the messiah.

So his very presence was peace. But he also ushered in peace. He brought peace into the world. A peace that had not been known since Eden. The peace that the world longed for was here and was being given. Yet the prince of peace would not remain in the world forever. So then what?

The messiah brings peace through his promise.

II. Through His promise.

John 14:27–31 CSB

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me. On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me. “Get up; let’s leave this place.

Just FYI the the phrase the “Father is greater than I” is referring to role not essence. In other words, Like Hebrews 2:9 tell us. Jesus emptied himself, suffered, was humiliated all things the father did not experience. The father was greater in glory than the son for a short time, so that His purposes may be accomplished.

Hebrews 2:9 CSB

But we do see Jesus—made lower than the angels for a short time so that by God’s grace he might taste death for everyone—crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death.

Again this was about His role not essence.

But Jesus left them with the peace of His promise. That one day he would return for all those who come to him and would set the world right.

Which brings us to our last point for today.

The Messiah will usher in Shalom.

III. Through His Perfection of the World to come.

2 Peter 3:8–11 CSB

Dear friends, don’t overlook this one fact: With the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief; on that day the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, the elements will burn and be dissolved, and the earth and the works on it will be disclosed. Since all these things are to be dissolved in this way, it is clear what sort of people you should be in holy conduct and godliness

Revelation 21:1 CSB

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.

Earlier we asked the question, How would this “Shalom”, this peace be ushered in.

The messiah being the prince of peace would his presence merely be enough to usher peace in for eternity or would he need to conquer his enemies like the Mighty God that he is?

We said that the answer is “yes”.

You see God brought peace through Jesus Christ. Like one who brings a treaty to end a war. This Prince of peace, this sacrifice on the cross was the treaty. Through his death Jesus Christ has made a way for the war against God to end. The war of wills. The war of sin. For all those who will except the treaty. The peace is both immediate with the father but will also come in its full expression when he wages war on all those who will not accept his treaty of peace. He wages war on and destroys all that is evil so that peace will reign eternally.

This is why in the same passage of 2 Peter 3:14-18

2 Peter 3:14–18 CSB

Therefore, dear friends, while you wait for these things, make every effort to be found without spot or blemish in his sight, at peace. Also, regard the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our dear brother Paul has written to you according to the wisdom given to him. He speaks about these things in all his letters. There are some things hard to understand in them. The untaught and unstable will twist them to their own destruction, as they also do with the rest of the Scriptures. Therefore, dear friends, since you know this in advance, be on your guard, so that you are not led away by the error of lawless people and fall from your own stable position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

to the believer you can live in the peace that is here and is coming by continuing to entrust your life to Jesus Christ.

to the unbeliever:

Do you want peace? Do you desire peace in your soul. God had brought the greatest gift known to man. A way for you to be at peace with God. A way for you to enter a eternal world with eternal peace.