All About Jesus, Prince of Peace

"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. What does the Bible tell us about "peace" and this "Prince of Peace?"

What is Peace? According to Webster's dictionary, peace is a state of tranquillity, quiet, calm, freedom from civil disturbance, A state of security - being secure within a community, freedom from oppression, strife and disorder. In harmony in personal relations. Untroubled by conflict, agitation or commotion. Is peace desirable? Do you have it? Would you like to have it? How may we receive true peace.

Jesus in His last discourse with His disciples before His crucifixion said to them, "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). 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.-- Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord" (John 20:19, 20). What a Prince! Death and the grave could not hold Him.

Review of promises of God in the Old Testament regarding peace

"Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: 'I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea' " (Isaiah 48:17, 18).

In this scripture, peace is equated to "heeding" God's commandments. "Heeding" implies to pay attention. God's commandments were given to guide mankind in ways of peace and doing what is right. All God's laws are given to benefit men and women, to direct them in the way of doing what is right and to protect them from sin and suffering. Paying attention to God's laws means following them, practicing them, being guided by them. When we follow God's instructions, our peace will be "like a river." This is God's promise to us.

What is the promise to those who do not pay attention to God and His instruction? "There is no peace," says the Lord, "for the wicked" (Isaiah 48:22). That's pretty clear. Those who heed God's commands will have peace. Those who ignore Him will not have peace.

"The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places" (Isaiah 32:17, 18).

"I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly... Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed" (Psalm 85:8, 10).

"Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble" (Psalm 119:165).

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength" (Isaiah 26:3, 4). Trusting in the Lord brings peace and strength.

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all you heart" (Jeremiah 29:11-13). God's purpose is to give us peace, a future and a hope if we will listen to Him and trust Him.

Review of what New Testament writers say about God and His peace?

"And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'" (Luke 2:13, 14).

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6, 7).

"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1).

"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). 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).

Summary:

Jesus is our Prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).
Heed His commandments and your peace will be like a river (Isaiah 48:17, 18).
There is no peace for the wicked (Isaiah 48:22).
The work of doing what is right will be peace (Isaiah 32:17, 18).
The Lord will speak peace to His people, but let them not turn back to folly (Psalm 85:8, 10).
Great peace have those who love His law (Psalm 119:165).
You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts You (Isaiah 26:3, 4).
God's thoughts toward you are thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11-13).
God's purpose is for peace on earth and goodwill toward men (Luke 2:13, 14).
Let your requests be made known to God, and His peace, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6, 7).
Our peace with God is through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).
Jesus is our peace. Apart from Him, we do not have His peace (Ephesians 2:14, 17).

"Now when He got into a boat, His disciples followed Him. And suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea, so that the boat was covered with the waves. But He was asleep. Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him, saying, 'Lord, save us! We are perishing!' But He said to them, 'Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?' Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. So the men marveled, saying, 'Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?" (Matthew 8:23-27).

Christ has the power to calm the tempests of our lives when we yield our hearts and lives to Him. "However fierce the tempest, those who turn to Jesus with the cry, 'Lord, save us,' will find deliverance."--Reflecting Christ, p. 278.

"My peace I give to you;-- Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27).

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33).

"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23).