Prince Of Peace Series

Prince of Peace

Isaiah 53:1-5; Isaiah 9:2-7; Ephesians 2:14-19

December 24, 2023

During Advent we’ve been looking at Isaiah’s prophecy of a child who was to be born, of a son that is given to us, and now we come to the fourth, final and climactic name given to the child: Prince of Peace.

Because we live in a world that is longing for peace, the Prince of Peace is a great name for Jesus. We all want peace, anyone who doesn’t want peace, we’d think there’s something wrong with them . . . . but how we achieve it or even try to acquire peace can be difficult . . . . especially if we go about it the wrong way — which I think much of the world does.

When we look at the world around us, it’s pretty obvious there’s no peace. We have countries picking and choosing sides and preparing for war. We have people who can’t get along, let alone families. We show our lack of peace by our attitudes on social media. We talk about it, but for so many, including Christ followers, we don’t have peace.

Add to the fun the fact that next year is another presidential election and the tension just increases. They describe themselves and what they’ll do for the country as though they were the child being described in Isaiah’s prophecy.

The candidates want to tell us that they’re the person in Isaiah’s prophecy. I’m the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace! Put the government on my shoulders, and see what happens. Of the increase of my government and of peace there will be no end!”

My point is simply this — — we must look to only One who can deliver on that promise. No person can put the government on their shoulders, unless it’s Jesus, the Christ. He’s the One, Isaiah said - - -

2 The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.

6 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.

7 Of the increase of His government and of PEACE there will be no end,

on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.

The zeal of the LORD OF HOSTS will do this. - Isaiah 9

Of course, you know where I’m going with this. Because there is One who never overpromises or under-delivers but always makes good on precisely what He says and what He promises. He is the child described in the passage, the one Isaiah prophesied about 2700 years ago, the one we call Jesus.

Jesus Christ is the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Everlasting Father, and as the focus of our attention in this message, the Prince of Peace. He is the One who can bring peace into the world and into our lives.

The Hebrew word is Shalom. It’s a simple word that has tons of meanings. It can mean hello or good-bye. It can mean peace. But the deeper meaning of shalom is having a sense of overall well-being, a sense of fulfillment, and flourishing. That’s what people like Isaiah envisioned for the future.

It would be a time when we would all worship together. We would be redeemed, we would come to God in purity of hearts. We would help our brothers and sisters. We would look at others as being more important than ourselves. The lion and the lamb would like together. Ultimately, humanity would be at peace, we’d be content.

That’s shalom, the kind the Prince of Peace will bring, and according to Isaiah’s prophecy. The Prince of Peace will extend well-being, or promote safety, security, and human flourishing. Isaiah tells us - - - -

7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end. He will rule with “justice and with righteousness” and thus cause everyone under His reign to flourish.

Wars will be non-existent. It’s a process that began with the birth of Christ and won’t be completed until Christ returns in glory.

I need to admit at this point as I was writing, I came to a crossroads. It’s Christmas Eve morning, it’s supposed to be happy, so I decided today wasn’t the day to get into the deeper theology of why we struggle with peace. In short, it’s our sinfulness, our desire to be god, because we want control and we are in some ways at war with God as well.