He Will Be Called The Prince Of Peace Series

“HE WILL BE CALLED…

THE PRINCE OF PEACE”

Isaiah 9:6-7

When I say the word “peace” what is the first thing that comes to your mind? What do you think of?

Like most important words, “peace” has become all things to all people.

One picture some of you might have is a picture of a loving mother looking into the face of her sleeping baby. Notice I said sleeping baby!

Another picture: a poet writing of the serenity of an old cemetery.

There are many pictures for the word “peace.”

“Peace” can mean different things to different people. The problem is that when we say the word “peace” we cannot be sure that we are all talking about the same thing.

This would not be the case for the Old Testament Jew. To him, the word “peace” (“shalom”) meant far more than silence or the absence of way, which is the way that most of us would describe peace. The Old Testament Jew would view peace as a living, vibrant thing made for the well-being of mankind.

Peace, true peace, has nothing to do with the situation on the outside. It has everything to do with the condition on the inside.

A person can be at peace no matter what the situation, no matter what the circumstances are.

How is this possible? Because of Jesus Christ.

The prophet Isaiah prophetically calls Jesus Christ “the Prince of Peace” in Isaiah 9:6-7.

Let’s look together at several aspects of this name

“Prince of Peace” given to Jesus Christ:

We see first of all that Jesus Christ is Prince of Peace in...

I. HIS CHARACTER

When you think of Jesus Christ as “The Prince of Peace” you should think first of all of His Character. Jesus Christ was a man of peace. He was a man at peace with Himself no matter what the circumstances around Him.

Think of how he was sound asleep on the boat in the middle of a storm.

Think of how He was calm, cool, and collected when feeding the 5,000.

Think of how He was not rattled after Jairus’ daughter died and He raised her from the dead. Same thing when He raised his good friend Lazarus from the dead.

Think of how He remained calm and in control during his unjust arrest, trial, and crucifixion.

By His character, He demonstrated to us what true peace is.

This word “peace” is thrown around a lot today, especially in Mennonite churches. Mennonites are known as belonging to a “peace church.” This might get me in trouble with some of you who hear me say this, but say it I must, I really wonder if Christ would take part in much of the modern day “peace movement.” I’m speaking mostly of the “peace movement” of not only the world, but some of the “peace” talk we hear and read about even within the Mennonite church.

Now, before tuning me out, please hear me out...

Why do I say such a thing?

Because righteousness and peace go together.

Isaiah 32:17 “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.

Our Lord Jesus Christ’s first concern was not peace, but righteousness. You would not hear the words,

“Peace at any price!” come from the lips of our Lord.

Peace without righteousness is not peace!

The prophet Jeremiah wept over this false kind of peace in Jer 6:14

Jeremiah 6:14

“They dress the wound of my people

as though it were not serious.

’Peace, peace,’ they say,

when there is no peace.”

Peace is more than bringing people together.

Peace is more than bringing families together.

Peace is more than bringing friends together.

Peace is more than bringing nations together.

Think of Herod and Pilate, two enemies who became friends during the trial of Jesus. You could say they had peace, but it was a peace not based on righteousness, not a true peace.

Peace is based on righteousness. Peace is based on the truth.

Isaiah 57:21

"There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked."

You see, we want to change the circumstances, but God wants to change our character!

We think that peace comes from the outside in, when, in reality, peace comes from the inside out!

Jesus Christ brings peace because He is peace. He is our peace according to Ephesians 2:14. And the more we become like Him, the more we experience peace and share peace.

But being “The Prince of Peace” not only involves His Character, it also involves...

II. HIS CROSS

Please turn with me to Colossians 1:19-22...

“Reconcile”=? “Reconcile”=”to bring together again”

The deepest need for every person today is the need to be reconciled.

You can talk all you want about peace, but...

You will never experience true peace, either within yourself, or with others, until you are first of all at peace with God!