[The Words of Advent] PEACESample

Peace Personified

There are moments in life when we understand that we have signed up for much more than for what we originally intended. Likewise, Isaiah 9 is the only place in Scripture where five of Jesus’ more than two hundred names appear together. This is also the first time in Scripture where the nation of Israel begins to understand that the One who will save them would not be a mere human, but God Himself.

He would be born as a baby, but would also be a Son given [by God.] Isaiah 7:14 foretells this by calling Him Immanuel, “God with us” This prophecy was fulfilled in Matthew 1 and Luke 2 when Mary gave birth to Jesus.

Isaiah tells us that Jesus will release us from the burden of human government to bring us peace. Jesus has been made Lord of all, and each one of us has the privilege to make Him Lord over our lives (Romans 10:10).

These five names represent Jesus’ human and divine side.

Wonderful. He would be extraordinary and supernatural.

Counselor. In Isaiah 11:1-2, where the rod from the stem of Jesse is mentioned, says that He would possess supernatural wisdom. This was fulfilled in Luke 2, where it says that Jesus, at 12 years of age, mystified even the rabbis with his understanding and answers and that He grew in wisdom and stature.

Mighty God.The word mighty in Hebrew also means “heroic.” Jesus would fight our battles for us; He would conquer all. We get the fulfillment of this prophecy in John 16, when Jesus says, “I have overcome the world.” Being fully human and fully God, Jesus made the impossible possible.

Everlasting Father. As God, Jesus is eternal. This is the only place in Scripture where the attribute of fatherhood is assigned to Jesus. The fulfillment is found in John 10:30 where He says, “I and My Father are one.”

Prince of Peace. Prince can also be translated as “born to the task.” Jesus was born to the task of making everything as it should be. Only God can remake everything the way He originally intended. In John 14 and Romans 5, Jesus not only brings peace to the world, but peace between us and the Father.

Peace is personified in Jesus, and peace became possible only through Him—our shalom!

Father, thank You that on the divine and the human side, Your Son Jesus Christ personifies peace; we have peace because He is now in our lives!