March 28, 2002

PRINCE OF PEACE

"Peace is my parting gift to you, My own peace, such as the world cannot give. Set your troubled hearts at rest, and banish your fears" (John 14: 27, NEB).

"For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).

The messianic prophecy of a child being born who will be the "Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" has its fulfillment in the life of Jesus. In Christ's last discourse with His disciples before His crucifixion, He said to them, "Peace is my parting gift to you, My own peace, such as the world cannot give. Set your troubled hearts at rest, and banish your fears." How is it that Jesus could give His disciples "peace" when He was about to suffer on Calvary and His disciples would soon go through the worst experience of their lives up to that time?

Just three days later, at evening on the day of His resurrection, Jesus came and stood in the midst of His disciples and said to them, "Peace be with you!" And then He showed them His hands and His side. "When the disciples saw the Lord, they were filled with joy. Jesus repeated, 'Peace be with you!' (John 20:19-21).

On that evening just before His crucifixion, Christ knew something that the disciples didn't know. He knew the end of the story. The same is true for us today. We often go through experiences that are troubling and upsetting. However, if we are a child of God and have accepted His protection, and follow His direction to the best of our understanding, the outcome is assured, regardless of what we may have to go through.

"For He Himself is our peace... He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father" (Ephesians 2:14, 17, 18, NKJV). Throughout scripture there are many references that associate Jesus with peace. In this reference, Jesus is our peace. By being our peace before God, Jesus has made peace among those who are in union with Him. To have Him is to have His peace that surpasses all understanding. "This peace is not something that He gives apart from Himself. It is in Christ, and we receive it only by receiving Him" (Ministry of Healing, p. 247).