“For a child has been born for us, a son is given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” —Isaiah 9:6-7
During the second week of Advent, we celebrate the peace of Christ Jesus. The world is infested with conflict. From political conflict to military conflict, racial tensions to mass shootings, peace has become more elusive than ever. No government or world leader has been able to ensure peace in the world. With the current war in Ukraine, the world is yet again facing the possibility of another world war.
Nevertheless, as we celebrate the Advent season, we are reminded that Jesus is the prince of peace who alone has the power to give lasting peace to the world. In today’s text, Isaiah prophesied that the Prince of Peace would be born in the house of Judah. During the Christmas season, we celebrate this miraculous birth and are reminded that God has not surrendered His created world to the forces of darkness that are wreaking havoc in the world.
Two thousand years or so ago, God sent His only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to bring peace between God and humanity. The Father knew we had been entrapped in a world of sin and conflict because of the sins of Adam and Eve. Thus, He sent the Prince of Peace to take our sins and unrest upon himself so we can abide in His peace. “Jesus did not come, however, to smooth over our conflicts. Nor did He come with armed might to force us to lay down our arms. Rather, He came to die for the sins that lie at the heart of our rebellion against Him.”
To receive the Peace of Christ, however, we must surrender to Him as our Lord and Savior and, through this act of faith, receive His grace of forgiveness and peace. In John 14:27, Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
The Peace of Jesus comes through a relationship of loving union with the Triune God. It is unconditional to those who accept Jesus as a “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Though the world will remain troubled until the second coming of Christ, believers can still experience His peace throughout their Christian journey.
Because we serve a God of peace, disciples of Jesus are called to operate as agents of peace. That does not mean we should acquiesce to the forces of evil and surrender our God-given authority to speak truth to power. On the contrary, believers are expected to stand strong against injustice and fight against oppression. Believers should never remain silent in the face of inequality. We should use the tools of peaceful demonstration when necessary to stand against any form of tyranny. Yet, our actions should be Christ-centered and Holy Spirit-led.
Let us not be discouraged by the proliferation of evil and violence in this evil world. Instead, we should use every opportunity to remind the world of the peace offered by Jesus. The world may still be saturated with hostility, but through Christ Jesus, we have peace with our heavenly Father. Before the incarnation of Jesus, humanity remained in a state of enmity with God. But Christ paid the price so we can everlasting peace with the Father. Therefore, we are no longer estranged from God and are now adopted into God’s family as joint heirs with Christ.
Questions for Personal Reflection
What does it mean to have the Peace of Christ in a troubled world?
How can one receive the peace of Christ?
Prayer- Jesus, you are my Prince of Peace and the lover of my soul. Please help me to cultivate a life of peace even as I take a stand against injustice and oppression. Thank you for giving me with my heavenly Father through Calvary.