01.12.2025
Isaiah 9:1-7
Prince of Peace
Introduction:
The prophecy of Isaiah 9:6 was spoken during a time of great uncertainty and darkness for the nation of Israel especially for the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali (Isaiah 9:2). It was a time of political upheaval, when the people were yearning for a leader who would bring stability, peace, and divine guidance. Then there came a man walked into their hamlets that was the Prince of Peace, who Jesus Christ (Matthew 4:12-16). The darkness was engulfed because of their sin but the Light came to them because of their forefathers sacrifice during the time of judges (Judges 5:18).
Isaiah 9:6 is a prophecy of foretelling a future king who will be both fully human ("a child is born") and fully divine ("a son is given"), and he would be called by the titles of “Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. These titles describe his character and reign, with "Mighty God" indicating his divine nature “Everlasting Father” indicates human nature, and "Prince of Peace" referring to the lasting peace his rule will establish on the hearts of his followers and on the earth.
The character of a "Prince of Peace" had been shown through Melchizedek, "King of Salem," i.e. "king of Peace" and Solomon was called the man of peace, "the peaceful one" and Isaiah himself had already prophesied the peacefulness of the Messiah's kingdom (Isaiah 2:4). Compare the song of the angels at our Lord's birth (Luke 2:14).
Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace
Jesus Christ peacemaker between God and Sinners
Jesus Christ Peacekeeper between man and creations
1. Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace:
Jesus was born into the world of the Roman Empire. The Empire was stretched from Great Britain to Judea and as far as North Africa. The emperor at that time of Jesus’ birth was Augustus and his reign ushered in a time known as Pax Romana—Roman Peace—a time of relative tranquility, prosperity, military security, public order, and high standards of administration such as the census mentioned in the account of Luke. Pax Romana was a compulsory peace there was no place for negotiation Only command to obey.
In the original Hebrew, the title “Prince of Peace” contains the words “Sar Shalom.” “Sar” signifies a commander, leader, or ruler. “Shalom” denotes peace, wholeness, and well-being, completeness, and prosperity in every dimension of life—spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational.
So the title “Prince of Peace” communicates the authority of a ruler who uniquely offers a complete and enduring state of peace. This title presents a remarkable claim: the One bearing it holds supreme royal authority and is the source of ultimate peace of the world.
The Prince of Peace is the one who removes all peace-disturbing factors and secures peace. This instantly sets Him apart from those human rulers whose reigns depend on bloody conquest, for His rule rests on a blood sacrifice. Jesus is a Peaceful Prince.
But Jews did not want a peaceful prince. They wanted a monarch who would annihilate their foes and re-establish the glory of the Israel which was there in the golden days of David-Solomon. They wanted Rome and all their other oppressors been removed. But Jesus didn’t lift a finger against Rome, nor did He make any international peace treaties. How then can He be considered the Prince of Peace?
Notice two entirely different statements from the New Testament: Luke 2:14 states, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” But in Matthew 10:34, Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” The first refers to the first advent and the second refers the second advent of Jesus.
2. Jesus Christ is the Peacemaker between God and Sinners
Jesus Christ offers grace, comfort, forgiveness of sins, joy, and Peace. He does not deal with the transgressor in sternness like a dictator but as a father. The forgiveness of sins is justification, and peace followed by justification. This peace is not only peace of mind but also plenty of soundness of mind and good health of the body. “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19).
The Prince of Peace offers us the opportunity to have peace with God (Romans 5:1). Even though we are still broken people who fail God in what we say, think and do. However, because of Jesus we are at peace with God. It is not just what Jesus has done but also what Jesus still does, pleading on our behalf before God. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8).
Therefore, Christ wants to say that one of two things must happen: “You must have anxiety and tribulation either outwardly, in your bodies, or inwardly, in your hearts. Consequently, when I say that you shall have peace, you must understand this to mean that you will have to experience anxiety in the world. Through My Word your heart will be made invulnerable to the world, the devil, and hell. Even if your enemies numbered many thousands more, and if their anger were far more intense than it is, their wrath and their raging will not be able to deprive you of Me; for I am so superior to them that I can easily hold My ground against them.”(Martin Luther, the reformer).
Therefore, Christ is indeed an amiable and comforting Lord. He exhorts His own in such a friendly and sincere manner to be sure to cling firmly to Him and to take comfort in Him over against the world and everything that would assail and frighten them. What a friend we have in Jesus, who cares for us.
The spiritual practice of prayer makes us cooler by reducing our stress, improving good mood, and leads to a better heart health . It’s not just the practice of prayer that makes us feel better, but prayer offered to God through through Jesus Christ by faith, which brings a peace that transcends all understanding.
This peace comes from and originates with God. It is granted through Jesus. It is God who gives us composure in the midst of trouble and dissolves fear.
3. Jesus Christ is Peacekeeper between man and creations
The peace which was disturbed by the rebellion of humanity will come to end only through Christ. Early Jewish tradition held that the Messiah would bring justice, security, and prosperity.
It is a peace that changes our status from enemies of God into the children of God through cross. “It pleased the Father, by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled” (Colossians 1:19-21).
In a world marked by turmoil, division, and conflict, Jesus offers a different kind of peace—the peace that reigns in the hearts of His followers. Jesus urged us to live at peace with all people, such as, those who persecute us, those who attack us, those who are our enemies (Luke 6:27-28). Jesus restores broken relationships, fostering unity and love among believers.
Jesus keeps the peace between humanity and creations. “The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.”(Isaiah 11:7).
Isaiah 65: 25 “The wolf and the lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent's food. They will do no evil or harm in all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.
In this profound verse, the prophet Isaiah portrayed a transformative vision of creation wherein nature itself experiences a restoration. God promises a time when the wolf and the lamb will coexist peacefully, symbolizing the removal of hostility and fear between all creatures being annihilated forever. This highlights not only the physical transformation of the animal kingdom but also signifies a broader message of peace that will encompass all of creation-free from the strife and destruction that resulted from humanity's fall into sin.
The verse emphasises that the natural adversities will no longer be present among humanity and nature. Isaiah 65:25 thus conveys a hope rooted in God’s faithfulness to create a harmonious existence, aligning with the promise of a new creation that spans both the present and the anticipated future, reaffirming God’s desire for reconciliation and peace within His creation.
Conclusion:
As recipients of Christ's peace, we are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation and peacemakers in this dark and broken world. The title "Prince of Peace" encapsulates the essence of Christ's mission and identity, which he passed onto us. He is the divine ruler who brings peace—reconciliation with God, inner wholeness, and transformative harmony. This peace transcends circumstances and extends to every dimension of life.
As believers, we are invited to embrace and share this transformative power of the Prince of Peace, living as witnesses to His shalom in a world hungering for true and lasting peace. God bless you, Amen.
