The Prince of Peace: God’s Plan to Bring Peace to the World
December 8, 2024
Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Isaiah 9:1-6
1 But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations. 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. 3 You have multiplied the nation; you have increased its joy; they rejoice before you as with joy at the harvest, as they are glad when they divide the spoil. 4 For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, you have broken as on the day of Midian. 5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult and every garment rolled in blood will be burned as fuel for the fire. 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. (Isaiah 9:1–6)
As we continue our Advent journey, we reflect on the coming of Christ, who, as our Savior, is the Prince of Peace. His birth marked the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s peace plan, bringing reconciliation between man and God, and soon, the promise of eternal peace will be realized in His return. In a world torn by war, conflict, division, racism, and unrest, we long for that peace to be finalized—a peace that only Christ can bring.
Today, we look at Christ’s role as the Prince of Peace, and consider the peace He has already brought, as well as the peace that is yet to come. Notice that as with all prophecy fulfillment to come, it centers around the restoration of Israel.
I. Christ Brings Peace Between Man and God
Isaiah 9:6 tells us that the Messiah is the “Prince of Peace.” But what kind of peace did He bring? First and foremost, Jesus came to bring peace between man and God. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, humanity was separated from God. Since then, humanity has been at odds with the Creator, with a chasm of sin between us. The peace that Christ brought began with reconciling us to God.
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
Paul explains this in Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Through His sacrifice on the cross, Jesus made a way for us to be reconciled to God. The peace He offers could be considered greater than ending world conflicts and war; it is the peace of a restored relationship with our Heavenly Father.
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:20)
It’s vital to understand that this peace is not based on human effort but on God’s grace. We did nothing to earn it, but God made peace with us through the blood of Christ.
Colossians 1:20 declares, “…and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has provided the peace we so desperately need.
John Newton was born in 1725, and for much of his early life, he lived in rebellion against God. He became involved in the transatlantic slave trade, working as a sailor and eventually a captain of a slave ship. His life was marked by violence, debauchery, and disregard for God. He openly rejected the Christian faith and lived in opposition to the moral and righteous ways of God.
In the midst of one of his voyages, Newton’s ship was caught in a violent storm. The storm was so severe that it seemed certain the ship would sink, and Newton, desperate and fearing for his life, called out to God for mercy. It was in that moment of crisis that God broke through into Newton’s hardened heart. He began to reflect on his life, realizing that he had been living as an enemy of God—actively rejecting His holiness and justice.
By God’s grace, Newton survived the storm, and this marked the beginning of his transformation. Over time, he gave his life to Christ, repenting of his sinful ways. He later became a pastor and wrote the now-famous hymn, “Amazing Grace,” which powerfully expresses his gratitude for the peace he found with God after a life of rebellion:
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”
Newton’s story is a vivid example of how God intervenes to reconcile us to Himself, even when we have been His enemies. His testimony reminds us that no matter how far we’ve strayed, God offers peace to all who turn to Him in repentance and faith.
John Newton’s life was completely transformed from one of enmity with God to a life devoted to Him. While Christ has brought peace between man and God, His mission also includes the promise of eternal world peace, which we eagerly await.
II. Christ Will Establish Eternal World Peace
While Jesus has already accomplished peace between man and God, we know that world peace has not yet come. Many people ask, Why didn’t Jesus bring world peace when He first came? That’s a great question. The answer lies in the understanding of God’s redemptive timeline. Jesus came the first time to establish peace between humanity and the Father. His death and resurrection made this possible, but world peace will come only when the time is right.
41 And when he drew near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. (Luke 19:41–42)
Luke 19:41-42 reminds us that Jesus wept over Jerusalem, knowing they had missed the opportunity for peace. However, He promised that true peace would come when the Jews would recognize Him as their Messiah, and the kingdom would be restored.
Matthew 23:39 says, “For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”
The Peaceful Kingdom—The Transformation of Nature
Imagine a time when the world is no longer marred by conflict or violence. Picture a lush, peaceful forest where animals live in harmony, where the fierce lion no longer hunts the meek lamb, but instead lies peacefully beside it. The Bible paints this picture in Isaiah 11:6-9, describing the transformation that will take place in the Millennial Kingdom under the rule of Christ:
6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den. 9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6–9)
This beautiful image of natural peace is one that seems almost too good to be true in a world that has known violence and discord for millennia. In the Millennial Kingdom, Christ’s reign will restore not only human relationships but even the animal kingdom. No longer will the strong prey upon the weak. There will be peace between mankind, between animals, and with nature itself, as God intended.
The earth itself will be transformed, and all will live in the perfect peace that Christ brings as the Prince of Peace. What a remarkable picture of the kind of world Christ will establish, where His rule brings not only justice but harmony, where even creation itself reflects the peace He offers to all.
Once the time of the Gentiles is complete (Romans 11:25), Jesus will return to establish His Kingdom, and true peace will reign. This peace will not merely be the cessation of war or the removal of conflict—it will be a peace that transforms the world; the final destruction of Satan and his evil deceptions. It will be a time when righteousness reigns and God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! (Psalm 122:6)
In the meantime, we are also called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122:6 instructs, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you!” We long for the day when Israel recognizes Jesus as their Savior, and the Prince of Peace will reign from Jerusalem, bringing peace to the world.
III. A Peaceful Life in the Present Age
While we await the fulfillment of God’s peace plan, we are called to be agents of peace in our present world. As Christians, we are to live as citizens of the Kingdom of God, reflecting the peace of Christ in our relationships with others. Jesus told His followers in Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matthew 5:9)
This is a radical call—to pursue peace even when it’s difficult, to love even those who are our enemies, and to seek reconciliation wherever possible.
The Christmas Truce of 1914
In the midst of the horrors of World War I, on Christmas Day in 1914, something remarkable happened along the front lines. Soldiers from opposing armies—the British and the Germans—who had been engaged in brutal combat, suddenly found themselves laying down their weapons and stepping out of their trenches.
It began when German soldiers started singing Christmas carols. In a rare moment of peace amidst the war, the British troops, hearing their enemies sing “Stille Nacht” (“Silent Night”), responded by singing their own carols. What began as an exchange of songs quickly turned into something much more: soldiers from both sides ventured out of their trenches, met in No Man’s Land, and exchanged gifts like cigarettes and food, and even played impromptu soccer games.
Though the truce was short-lived, lasting only a day or two, the significance of that moment is profound. It demonstrated the universal longing for peace, even in the most hostile of environments. This spontaneous act of peace and goodwill among enemies is a powerful reminder of Christ’s ultimate mission: to bring peace not only between people but between people and God.
While the war resumed after that brief truce, and the soldiers returned to the trenches, the memory of that day lingered. It serves as a poignant illustration of how peace, even in small, unexpected ways, can break through even the darkest and most broken parts of the world. It reminds us that Christ’s peace, which entered the world on that first Christmas, still has the power to soften hearts, bring reconciliation, and heal divisions, no matter how deep they seem.
This moment of peace, though fleeting, is a small reflection of what Christ’s peace can do in the hearts of people. Even in the midst of war, His peace can break through and bring reconciliation. As we look forward to the peace Christ will bring, let us also live as peacemakers today, spreading His light wherever we go.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:18)
Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” This doesn’t mean we compromise the truth of the gospel, but it does mean we approach others with humility, patience, and love, seeking peace in all of our relationships.
Conclusion: Living in Light of Christ’s Peace
As we celebrate Advent, let us reflect on the peace that Christ has already brought to our lives, and let that peace fill our hearts. As we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, let us reflect on how His peace can transform our own hearts and relationships. In this season of Advent, we are called to be agents of peace—just as Christ came to bring peace, so too should we embody it in our daily lives.
Let us also look forward to the day when He will return to bring peace to the world, as the Prince of Peace who rules over all. In the meantime, we are called to be peacemakers, living in a way that reflects God’s love and peace to a world that reviles God’s peace and at the same time, desperately needs it.
Are we allowing Christ’s peace to rule in our hearts today? Are we living as agents of peace in our families, our communities, and even our world? This Christmas, let’s remember that the Prince of Peace has come, and His peace is available to all who trust in Him. Let’s be ambassadors of that peace, as we eagerly await the day when He will return to establish His eternal Kingdom of peace.
