There must have been such great excitement in the heart of the Jews as they heard the prophecies of Isaiah of the coming Messiah. They would not understand them all, but it must have been fascinating to think about the Messiah as the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God and Everlasting Father. (We looked at these titles in the last three weeks.) And as war was all around them (with Assyria capturing the northern kingdom and then coming against the southern kingdom), it must have been particularly comforting to think of the Messiah as “the Prince of Peace.”
Most worldly rulers (like princes) seek power and greatness, and if it takes the sword and war to achieve, then by all means, let’s fight for it. But Jesus is not “the Prince of Conflict” but of “Peace.” Now, some may think of peace as merely the cessation or absence of hostilities, but that is not necessarily true peace. Instead, there must be the removal of the cause of the conflict and war. Only then does true peace reign.
The Hebrew word for “peace” (shalom) carries the idea of “well-being, completeness, wholeness, soundness.” The well-being and soundness in which the Prince of Peace is truly interested is not on the physical, military or national level, but on the spiritual level. Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). What is the peace of the Prince of Peace?
First, Jesus brought peace between God and man by removing the cause of that enmity—sin. When He was born, there was an announcement of “peace on earth” or “goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14), for this “Jesus” was coming to “save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). As the exalted “Prince and Savior,” Jesus provides the only thing that can bring about true peace— “forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31). And when we are “justified” through His salvation plan, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1). What a glorious blessing!
Second, by bringing peace to sinners in reconciling them to God through His blood, Jesus also brought peace that man can have with his fellowman. Deep enmity existed between the Jews and Gentiles, but “through the cross,” Jesus was able to “reconcile them both to God in one body,” “thus making peace” (Eph. 2:15-16). True peace is found among the people of this Prince!
Third, when His people stand in a right relationship with their Prince, they are able to enjoy a “peace that surpasses all understanding” that “will guard [their] hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).
How blessed we are to have Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace!
-David Sproule
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