The Prince of Peace

“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

Have you ever spent time with someone who always seems to be at peace?  I’m not talking about the lazy bum who sits around doing nothing, but the guy or gal who, in the midst of a lot of action, always carries with them a sense a peace. Have you noticed that when you are around them that you tend to chill out a bit yourself? Isn’t that an awesome feeling? I don’t know about you, but I’d rather spend my time with people who are full of peace rather than with people who are all stressed out.

That my friend is what having a relationship with Jesus brings to our lives. He is peace, and when we hang out with him His peace gets all over us. In fact, according to today’s text, He is the Prince of Peace. Man I love that about Jesus, He is the Master of Peace, the Peace Ambassador, the essence of peace in the midst of chaos.

When He arrived on the earth and His mom and dad had to turn a stable into a birthing suite the angels cried out in Luke 2:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”  In a few days we’re going to celebrate Christmas, the birth of our Savior, and the one who brought peace to this earth, and peace to our lives.

I love what Jesus told his disciples just before he was to be arrested and ultimately sent to the cross:

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  John 14:27, NKJV

He knew that they were going to freak out when He was arrested, beaten and then crucified. He knew that their worlds were going to be turned upside down, and He wanted them to know that in the midst of all that, they could have peace.

If that peace was available to the disciples, then that same peace is available to us. So whether you’re running through the mall looking for last minute gifts-- be at peace. If you’re driving in wild traffic, that feels like you’ve stumbled onto a Nascar track-- be at peace. If you’re at that family gathering that feels more like a cage fight than a Hallmark moment-- be at peace. Because the good news is, the Prince of Peace lives in you. He brings you a peace that the world can’t offer you.  He brings a peace that, according to Philippians 4:7, “...surpasses all understanding.”

So today let’s walk in the peace that only comes through our relationship with Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.