Prince of Peace

Kelli Baker

Advent Series 2023

Day Twenty-Three

“Peace of mind for five minutes, that's what I crave.” —Alanis Morissette

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.” —Jimi Hendrix

Music has always been a place of escape for me. An escape from the busy world around me. In some ways, it can be a place where I search for peace. Where do you search for peace?

All throughout history, world leaders have spoken of peace. Spiritual leaders have given their insight into how to achieve peace. But what if I said that we already have the answer? His name is Jesus. He is the one we are all searching for on our quests to find peace. He is the calm in the midst of the storm. The balm for the hurting soul. He is the only one who can make our paths straight and set us at peace with our heavenly Father.

This week, we will look at some ways how Jesus fulfills the prophecy that Isaiah spoke.

“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 9:6).

Prince of Peace

The definition of peace is freedom from disturbance; tranquility; a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended. Jesus promises to be all of those things to those who believe in him.

Every time Jesus appeared to the disciples in the gospel accounts, his first words were “Do not be afraid.” He offered the sense of freedom from disturbance that nothing else could. Could you imagine being out at sea? At sea, the water is never still, visible wave action is obvious (and below the surface wave activity, while not obvious, can be visible), waves are constant (though their height and force and agitation vary), wind and spray and froth all give a sense of agitation

But Jesus walks on water. The volatility of the sea does not phase Jesus. He is the Prince of Peace.

After a long day of teaching many crowds, Jesus sends his disciples off on a boat then goes into the mountains to pray. Later that night, Jesus sees his disciples in the middle of the lake struggling because of the winds. Jesus decides to go out to help them. As he approaches the boat, the disciples are spooked. Jesus replies, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” (Mark 6:50).

Peace with God

When sin entered into the world, mankind was separated from God. Throughout the Old Testament we see God pleading with his people to seek him and obey his commands. God is a holy God and cannot look upon sin.

“It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.

Because of your sins, he has turned away

and will not listen anymore.” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT)

Therefore, we needed a Messiah who would take our sins upon him so we may have peace with God again. Jesus became that sacrifice when he bore the sins of the world on his shoulders. In love, he obediently took the cup that would save our souls and join us back with the Father.

So what?

Because of sin, we were separated from God. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain of separation was torn apart. The wall that separated God from his children was broken because of Jesus.

What great news for you and I. We no longer have to worry about doing enough or being enough to gain favor with God. We simply have to place our trust in Jesus and walk faithfully with him. He has already done it for us.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for Jesus’ sacrifice. In times when we feel guilt or shame, remind us that we are no longer separated from you because of what Jesus already did on the cross. Amen.