The coming of the Messiah has been predicted by the prophet Isaiah around 700 BC. His prophecies recorded in the Bible referring to Jesus are quoted worldwide, especially during Christmas every year:
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
There was declared the various roles of Jesus: a child, a son, a government, a counselor, God, father, and a prince. Despite being mentioned at last, this attribute is not the least – in fact, it is of great significance: Prince of Peace. Without peace, the continuity of life would not be possible. That is why the Son of God, King of kings has come into the world He created.
Jesus Christ is the only reason we can truly live peacefully with God. The right relationship with God is the foundation of living in harmony with all His creation. In Jesus, our fears in death are removed and replaced with the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). Moreover, the Son of God has become the Prince of Peace so that we, the children of God, may become the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9, Isaiah 57:19). With the peace of God reigning over our lives, we will see heaven on earth as we are expectantly waiting for the second coming of the Prince of Peace.
Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace because He alone is able to accomplish these three things:
1. Restore every broken relationship
Since the fall of man, sin was “transmitted” to humanity and entered the world with death as a result (Romans 5:12).
The rebellious nature in every man caused him to be the enemy of God, his neighbors, and himself. Because of sin, man wanted a self-centered life independent from his Creator, which could lead to a permanent separation from Him.
God knew from the beginning that no amount of good works could save man from the bondage of sin and its eternal consequence. For this reason, the Word became flesh and came to the earth to lovingly reach out His people and offer Himself for a price of our salvation. Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb of God, has done the impossible work on our behalf through His death on the cross, so that we may have peace with God and others (Ephesians 2:14-18) and with ourselves (Romans 8:1). Jesus Christ has become a mediator (1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 5:1) and an intercessor (Hebrews 7:25) to God, that all who believe in Him may continue to live in His peace.
2. Provide a well-ordered and balanced life
The peace of Christ is a key to have a harmony in life, enabling us to live with a grateful heart (Colossians 3:15). Jesus addresses not only our spiritual needs, but also our emotional and physical concerns. He knows that we need a work-life balance. In fact, Jesus commanded us to work (John 9:4) and rest (Matthew 11:28) in Him – a lifestyle that will bring us a true fulfillment.
As we have been reconciled with God, we are to dedicate our lives to serve for His kingdom, not for our own pleasures. The work of the Holy Spirit produces truth, peace, and joy in us as the kingdom of God becomes our focus and priority (Romans 14:17). God’s peace also unites His people for building up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:33, Ephesians 4:1-3).
Knowing that Christ is our peace, let us entrust our lives to Him. Let us surrender our burdens (anxieties, doubts, fears, and restlessness) to Jesus that we may experience His perfect peace in our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-7).
3. Assure our eternal destiny
Beyond the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, every human needs (an assurance of) salvation. Because life on earth is perishable, our greatest need is not of the earthly things. Ultimately, we all need an eternal life – a life with the Creator, free from evil, sin, and death.
No man in history has had a courage to promise the eternal life. But here is the good news: in Jesus Christ, we have that very promise because He is the author of life who has himself experienced victory over death (Acts 3:15). Jesus is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20), therefore He is able to give us the true peace that nobody else can offer (John 14:27). In His perfect peace, we may continue to experience the love of God that casts away our fears.
Scriptures on Peace
Jesus restores every broken relationship:
“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Romans 5:12 NKJV
“Christ is the reason we are now at peace. He made us Jews and you who are not Jews one people. We were separated by a wall of hate that stood between us, but Christ broke down that wall. By giving his own body, Christ ended the law with its many commands and rules. His purpose was to make the two groups become one in him. By doing this he would make peace. Through the cross Christ ended the hate between the two groups. And after they became one body, he wanted to bring them both back to God. He did this with his death on the cross. Christ came and brought the message of peace to you non-Jews who were far away from God. And he brought that message of peace to those who were near to God. Yes, through Christ we all have the right to come to the Father in one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:14-18 ERV)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1 NKJV)
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5 KJV)
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1 NIV)
“Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25 ESV)
Jesus provides a well-ordered and balanced life:
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 ESV)
“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work.” (John 9:4 NLT)
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.’” (Matthew 11:28 NLT)
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17 NLT)
“For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” (1 Corinthians 14:33 NKJV)
“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:1-3 NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
Jesus assures our eternal destiny:
“You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this.” (Acts 3:15 NIV)
“And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.” (1 John 5:20 ESV)
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)
More:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NKJV)
“‘I will teach them a new word: peace. I will give peace to those who are near and to those who are far away. I will heal them.’ The Lord himself said this.” (Isaiah 57:19 ERV)
“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 KJV)
Philip Wijaya is presently a graduate research student at the University of British Columbia living in Vancouver, Canada with his wife, Sandra. His interest in science and faith in God has encouraged him to write in a blog (philipwijaya.com), with a hope of better understanding the truths in the Bible in relation to scientific views and discoveries. Besides research and study, he also enjoys sports, music, and traveling.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Church of the King
