OceanSide church of Christ

 Previous Return to list of articles Next 

THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Victor M. Eskew

 

          One of the most beautiful prophecies about the coming Messiah is found in Isaiah 9:6.  The prophet declared:  “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given:  and the government shall be upon his shoulder:  and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”  In this article, we want to focus upon that last title given to the Christ.  He is “The Prince of Peace.”

            Peace is a wonderful thing.  It is the absence of conflict, strife, and warfare.  It is the presence of calmness, tranquility, and serenity.  In peace, there is no trouble, no agitation, no fear, and no anxiety.  The state of peace is welcomed by most.  Those who do not have it, long for it deeply.  Jesus came to bring such peace.

            When Jesus was born into this world, there was an announcement of peace made by the angels of heaven to the shepherds abiding in the fields.  “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, good will toward man” (Luke 2:13-14).  That little child the shepherds would find in the manger was God’s medium of peace for all mankind.

            Throughout the ministry of Jesus, we find Him bringing peace to the lives of men and women.  On the stormySea of Galilee, Jesus brought both physical and emotional peace to His disciples.  With just His words, the storm was silenced and the panic of His followers relieved.  “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still.  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” (Mark 4:39).  On another occasion in Jesus’ ministry, He brought peace to a woman afflicted with a plague.  The Bible describes her as “a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing better, but rather grew worse” (Mark 5:25-26).  Her faith led her to seek out Jesus and touch His garment.  “And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague” (Mark 5:29).  When Jesus confronted this woman, He commended her faith and sent her away in peace.  “And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague” (Mark 5:34). 

            During the course of His ministry, Jesus also taught various things so His disciples could have peace.  In John 13-17, Jesus gathered with His apostles in an upper room to observe the Passover.  Jesus took this time to bring peace to His followers about things soon to come.  In John 14:27, He said:  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:  not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  In that same discourse, He also spoke these words:  “These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation:  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). 

            Jesus’ ultimate goal was to go to the cross of Calvary.  In that violent death, He secured peace for lost humanity.  He enabled man to have peace with God.  In addition, He brought peace between two estranged groups, Jews and Gentiles.  Paul noted this accomplishment in his letter to the church at Ephesus.  “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:  and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh” (Eph. 2:14-17).  Three times Paul mentions peace in this passage.  Jesus’ death brought peace between man and God.  Through Jesus, man could be cleansed of his sins and could be restored to fellowship with the Father.  Once saved, they were placed into the body of Christ, the church (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18).  This body could contain both Jews and Gentiles.  United in Christ, Jews and Gentiles were one and at peace with one another.

            At this time, each one of us can have peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.  It is secured by faithful obedience to His will.  “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1).  If we continue to work good after becoming a Christian, we can secure the ultimate peace that awaits us in the hereafter.  “But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile” (Rom. 2:10). 

            Having seen the peace that is associated with Jesus, we can begin to better appreciate Him as “The Prince of Peace.”  “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven” (Col. 1:20).