Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Intro

This scripture is a promise that comes to a people who are in Assyrian captivity. They are at a point that seems so hopeless. Isaiah prophecies to this people the coming of a king that will deliver them from this captivity. As he is prophesying he is telling them the “names” of this king. The declaration of his names is a description of his rule. Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. It is interesting that this prophecy comes to a people that won’t actually be around for his actual arrival. I believe that this is because the ruling of Jesus, Carrying all of those names, is not just for the people then, but for the people of today.

We may not be stuck in the captivity of some foreign nation, however, we do find ourselves in need of a ruler that can deliver us from sin, and our own foolishness.

Prince of Peace

The peace Isaiah is prophesying about is the Hebrew word “Salom” which is used to describe an an encompassing peace. It isn’t just about a state of mind, but rather a state of being. It refers to peace in relationships, Peace of mind, wholeness, over all well being and even prosperity. The type of peace Jesus brings covers every area of our lives.

The reality that Jesus is the Prince of Peace means that he is the commander or ruler over peace. The title “Prince” gives him power over peace to command it and bestow it upon whomever he wants. And I have some good news for you. As the Prince of Peace he wants to bring peace to your life.

Peace with God

Romans 5:1 ESV

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This may be hard to swallow for us today but without Christ bringing this type of peace we are actually enemies with God according to Romans 5:10 “10 For if while we were ENEMIES we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.” If it would not have been for Christ we would have continued on in a hostile relationship with God. We would have continued in our sin living a life of complete rebellion towards him. But because of Jesus we have been reconciled to God, brought back to him from our sin to a relationship not hostile but rather peaceful. We don’t have to worry about being condemned because we have peace. We don’t have to fear judgement because we have peace.

The key to this peace is faith in Christ for salvation

Peace within yourself

Philippians 4:7 ESV

7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The Peace that is offered in Christ first surpasses all understanding. In other words, the peace you can have won’t make sense. You will have peace when you shouldn’t. Peace isn’t just about lack of warfare, it can be had in the middle of the battlefield. It reminds me of the story in Matthew 8 where Jesus and the disciples are crossing the sea and a storm is raging all around them. The waves were crashing over the side of the boat even. While all this is going on Jesus is asleep. I love a good rain when I am trying to sleep but I don’t believe I would be able to sleep on a boat in the middle of a storm of this level. When Jesus wakes up he speaks “peace be still” and the storm instantly stops.

Jesus rebukes the disciples for their lack of faith in this storm. They should have trusted him when he told them to get into the boat so that they could get to the other side. They trusted him until the storm came. Or so it seemed. I think they trusted the BOAT until the storm came. The problem was that they trusted in the wrong thing.

The key to peace within yourself, is trust in God

Peace with others

Just like how he can bring peace within you, he can bring peace around you. It is God’s will that we live at peace with those around us. Romans 12:18 “18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” It is not God’s will for us to fight with each other. We should have peace with all, especially within the body of christ. When we lack peace with each other, we tear each other apart. We let the body of christ become divided and unable to function as it should.

The way we experience this type of peace is by forgiving each other, being united around one goal or mindset. Philippians 2:2

Philippians 2:2 ESV

2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Not that we have to have the same favorite color, or favorite foods. What this means is that we are all gathered around the same Jesus, worshipping and following him with the same goal to become more like him.

The key to peace with others, is loving like Christ loves you

Peace with our situation

Philippians 4:10–13 ESV

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Paul wrote this from a prison. In Christ we can learn to make peace with whatever situation we are facing. Paul is saying that he has had peace in the prosperity and in the poverty seasons. I know we typically think that peace is easy in prosperity, however many times prosperity brings a pressure that is not felt in other seasons. It brings worry and fear of losing everything that you may have worked so hard to obtain. Paul has learned that the true secret to peace is not the season or situation but rather being in Christ. If you are in Christ, no matter what season you are in you will be taken care of.

Conclusion

This time of year can be extremely stressful and cause us to lose everything bit of peace that we normally would have. I know many people who have had a very hard year. Who have faced storms, struggled with others, struggled with themselves and have been in some rough situations. But today I want to encourage you that what the manger represents today is Peace.