Prince Of Peace

Names of Jesus

Prince of Peace

Picture in your mind a massive hurricane. Violent winds are whipping the water into a frenzy, and giant waves are beginning the pound the shoreline. Chaos is reigning on both land and sea. Crews are working desperately to anchor their vessels so they are not beached, or worse, sunk.

Towns and villages that dot the shoreline are in full tilt panic. People are rushing around getting ready for the inevitable. And then just in time to escape the storm they pack up cars and head inland.

This is not a portrait of peace.

But if we look deeper, about 20 feet below the surface of the water, the picture changes. The waters are calm and clear. The fish and other sea life are completely unaware of the chaos that is overhead.

There is a truism that we can take from this picture, and that is where there is depth, there’s peace.

This is probably why there is so little peace in the world, and in our lives, and that’s because there is no depth in our relationship with God and His word. We are mile wide with our opinions and experiences, but only and inch deep in our understanding of God and the knowledge of His word.

Peace is at the heart of what everyone wants. We all want peace, peace in the world, peace in our lives, and peace in our relationships, and we’ll do just about anything to get it.

And while peace is our greatest hope, it’s really an elusive dream. We catch glimpses of it, but as soon as we do it’s gone.

We watch the news only to see how desperate this world is for peace. We have wars and rumors of wars, terror threats and bombings, coups, uprisings, and genocide. We have disharmony in our government, violence on our streets and in our schools, conflicts in our homes, and anxiety and stress in our lives.

In Jerusalem, the city known as “The city of peace,” there is continual conflict and war. Here’s a city claimed by most every religion out there, but not only do they not get along with one another, but they have failed to find a solution.

The world tries to find peace, but miserably fails, because the only peace that the world can offer is a cessation of war, which we have seen time and time again fail.

But if we honestly evaluate the lack of peace in the world and in our lives, what we find is a common denominator, and that is our disobedience to God and to His word, which stems from an unrepentant heart, a heart that refuses to turn towards God and His ways. Instead what we have are hearts that are turned more towards the world and its ways.

Real peace, however, having a peace that lasts is a gift given by God, because the Lord personifies not only what peace is, but also peace itself. We see this brought out in several places. First through what the writer of Hebrews says.

“Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NKJV)

We see this also in the priestly blessing commanded by God to bless His people.

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV)

The Apostle Paul likewise gives the same blessing to the church in Thessalonica.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” (2 Thessalonians 3:16 NKJV)

Therefore, the peace that matters, and the peace that lasts and has stood the test of time, is the peace that comes through faith in Jesus Christ, whom the prophet Isaiah describes as the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah speaks of the coming of the Messiah and His names, all of which can only be given and applied to the Lord God Himself.

“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 NKJV)

Being the Prince of Peace means that He is the one who rules over peace. We might say that there is no real peace outside of having faith in Jesus Christ.

Jesus confirms that true peace can only be attained through Him.