The Prince of Peace

The title Prince of Peace is both comforting and encouraging, implying an intimate and nurturing relationship with God through Jesus Christ. It also implies sovereignty and power that transcends the barriers between mankind and God in an authoritative and confident custody of those who call upon Him.

Isaiah prophesied from 739 – 681 BC and his writings are the most comprehensive prophetic intimation regarding Jesus Christ in the entire Old Testament. It is in the ninth chapter of the Book of Isaiah that we read in verse six about the birth of the Messiah: “For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

The Book of Isaiah is filled with both warnings of judgement and the promise of salvation. It is the classic portrait of the dichotomy that exists between war and peace and the prediction of judgement necessitating salvation. Humanity has turned its back on God, alienating itself from Him, therefore, He will hold mankind accountable. Yet He also promises the hope of salvation for those who repent and accept the olive branch of peace offered through His one and only Son.

The alienation of humanity from God is resolved through Jesus Christ, who is Himself both divisive and conciliatory. Jesus said in Matthew 10:34, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”

This is a polarizing statement, so how can He be called the Prince of Peace?

Estranged From God

The human race has been estranged from God and distanced from Him throughout history. Unable to comprehend God, humanity has either rejected Him all together or sought Him in vain. So the Lord took it upon Himself to clarify the mystique surrounding this dilemma and demonstrated the path of reconciliation through Jesus Christ. In doing so, He offered Jesus as the bridge to restore peace to our relationship with Himself.

Paul discloses in Romans 5:10, “For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!” We are no longer estranged, we are now in communion with our Creator.

In Ephesians 2:13-16, Paul reveals: “But now in Christ you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in His flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which He put to death their hostility.

The apostle is referring to Gentiles and Jews in this passage, and two thousand years later, that very same peace is breaking down walls that separate people all over the world. Societies come together in worship that transcends ethnicities and skin color in a tangible and lasting bond of peace. The brotherly love extended through the church encompasses the globe today and the power of the gospel remains the impetus that bridges the gap between many cultures.

Christ’s peace has changed the world. Christianity has impacted civilization as a major source of social services like schools and medical care; an inspiration for art, culture and philosophy; and an influential force in politics and religion, advocating human rights.

In John 14:27, Jesus tells the disciples, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you.” It is a lasting peace. A permanent peace. He can give peace because he has peace to give. We see it manifested wherever the need for humanitarian aid is evident. In war zones, prisons, homeless shelters, women’s shelters and orphanages. Building schools and hospitals in third world countries and providing water where there is none.

Christ’s command to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, (Matthew 5:44-45) is a radical and almost unfathomable declaration, yet He did exactly that. The very Roman empire that crucified Him; persecuted the Jews and destroyed the Temple and Jerusalem was eventually overpowered by the gospel. Not through violent means but through the persistent preaching of peace.

Similarly, the Roman persecution of Christians was neutered by passive persuasion and not rebellion. Love prevailed over hate and the oppressors became subjects of Christianity. Equally remarkable was the conversion of Paul, whose violence against believers is well documented in Acts and was rewarded with mercy, love and forgiveness.

Peace That Transcends All Human Understanding

Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic law and became our Sabbath rest (Hebrews 4), giving us the peace that accompanies rest on an incomprehensible level. Paul tells us that it is a transformative peace that transcends all human understanding (Philippians 4:7). Jesus brings peace into our lives by giving us the assurance that he will never forsake those who love Him (Hebrews 13:5).

We have peace of mind knowing that just as Jesus was resurrected from the grave, so we also will be. We no longer approach the end of our physical lives with apprehension and fear, but with courage and hope that Jesus has prepared a place for us in the Father’s house.

Jesus broke the paradigm that power was legitimized through war and where peace was marginalized; that the world embraced. In Christ, peace is both the means and the end, and His followers are called to remain committed to faithfulness even unto death. This is where nonbelievers are challenged and often lost. The world wants peace but rejects the Prince of Peace.

The division in perspective of the worldly and the godly is as distinct as it is diametric. Those who believe that physical life must be clung to and preserved at all cost as the fulcrum of our existence, will never comprehend the faith of those who profess belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life. It is simply beyond logic to material-centric beings.

Paul lays out the rationale for hope beyond the grave in 1 Corinthians 15:12-20. In verse nineteen, he declares, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” It is the promise of eternal life that is the foundation of salvation and the source of the great peace in the hearts of true believers.

Knowing that Jesus is alive and that we will join Him in the Father’s house brings great comfort, peace and confidence in those with authentic faith. John 14:1-3 contains His promise: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”

In the meantime, we can enjoy the peace that comes from knowing that no matter what the world throws at us, it already threw at Jesus. “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33). Jesus can offer peace because He has peace to offer.

When the angels announced the birth of Christ to the shepherds keeping watch over their flocks at night, a great company of heavenly host praised God. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests.” (Luke 2:14). His favor rests on those who believe in Jesus Christ as their savior and have a relationship with Him. And with favor comes peace.

Furthermore, Jesus continues to be our advocate and intercessor between us and God. “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time.” (1 Timothy 2:5). Jesus is the facilitator of peace.

He is a peacemaker, and more. Jesus provides a profound peace that permeates every area of a believer’s life in an unprecedented and authentic manner that cannot be duplicated, imitated or reproduced by any other. Jesus alone is the source of true peace because He is the Prince of Peace.