The Promised Messiah: Prince of Peace

Scripture Meditation: Isaiah 9:6-7; John 14:27; Romans 5:1, 10; Philippians 4:6-7

As the Scripture unfolds, God continues to reveal more and more about the mystery of His plan that He introduced to us in Genesis 3:15. As time continued to pass, as life became difficult for the people of Israel, their searching for and anticipation of the coming Messiah increased. The people of Israel found themselves over and over again as a people oppressed. And in the midst of their exile, they longed for the One who would come to set them free from oppression and give them peace from the constant wars and conquests that seemed to be a regular part of their nation’s history. It is in this context that the LORD speaks through the Prophet Isaiah another detail about the Promised Messiah. “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. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end...” (Isaiah 9:6-7a) What hopeful words these are to a people who had not known peace! Not just a temporary peace would be brought by this Messiah, but an eternal peace!!

As the angels announced to the shepherds the birth of Jesus, they said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.” (Luke 2:14) 

Jesus said in John 14 that He comes to give peace but it’s not peace like the world gives. So what is this peace that is found only in Jesus? It is first and foremost peace with God. Romans 5 tells us that we all are enemies of God. Sin is nothing less than treason against God our Creator.  Like the nations rage against God and against His rule over their lives, so we as individuals rage against God’s rule over us. And yet God, while we are His enemies, comes to make peace with rebels like us through His Promised Messiah, the Prince of Peace. It is in Jesus Christ that we can be reconciled to God. As we come to the Prince of Peace through faith, we are justified and are now at peace with God. A peace that is not like the world’s peace, but an eternal peace.

But not only do we have peace with God, but in Christ Jesus, we also can have peace in the midst of suffering and trials. “And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) How? Because the peace of God isn’t something He hands off to us and sends us on our merry way back into our suffering. No. Jesus is Peace Himself. We have a peace that passes understanding because the Prince of Peace lives within us and is with us in the midst of every circumstance. Let us join with the angels in proclaiming, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace AMONG those with whom He is pleased!”