The Uniqueness of JesusSample

Prince of Peace

Jesus is the ‘Prince of Peace’…

We begin to understand the sheer magnificence of this title when we put it into the context of what is happening in our world today. Sadly, our world is far from peaceful. If we loosely define war as conflict or hostility between different groups of people, then in our world, there is a war over race, over social status, over land and resources, and over many other things. This only scratches the surface of conflicts between people.

What about the wars that we face in our minds? What about anxiety, depression, and fear? So many of us battle with those things, and often we battle alone.

On top of that, many people wrestle with a lack of peace within their own hearts, especially when it comes to their relationship with God or a ‘higher being’. Am I right with God? Where will I end up at the end of my life?

Dear beloved, it was for all of this that the Prince of Peace came into this world!

Our Daily Bread Ministries describes Jesus the Prince of Peace as ‘the one who removes all peace-disturbing factors and secures the peace.' Just pause for a second. Isn’t that incredible?

In Jesus, we have an end to war and access to a peace which is secure. Through Jesus, we have peace that endures forever (John 14:27) – it is Jesus’ own peace which He gives to us. He establishes peace between us and others, within ourselves, and between us and God.

This last point is most significant. In Romans 5:6-10, we’re told that while we were sinners we were God’s enemies. We were at war with God Himself. But even while we were sinners, Jesus died for us and secured our friendship with God.

Jesus’ death didn’t bring us just a temporary ceasefire with God, but an eternal transformation in our relationship with Him. He took us from being God’s enemies to being God’s children!

Theologian J. I. Packer wonderfully sums up what Christmas is all about: “The Christmas message is that there is hope for a ruined humanity – hope of pardon, hope of peace with God, hope of glory – because at the Father’s will Jesus became poor, and was born in a stable so that thirty years later He might hang on a cross.”

It is our hope and prayer that, today, you would know that your peace with God is secure, and that Jesus’ peace is for you, no matter your storm or situation.

Reflection

In which area of your life do you most need Jesus the Prince of Peace?

Prayer

Jesus, Prince of Peace,

In a world where peace is not promised nor always pursued, I thank You for Your peace. Thank You for removing all peace-disturbing factors and securing the peace.

Today, I really need peace between me and others/within myself/between me and God. Lord, I acknowledge that I cannot achieve this peace on my own, so I entrust myself into Your hands and ask that You pour out Your peace onto me. I open my hands wide to receive this beautiful, free gift of peace!

Thank You for transforming me from being an enemy of God to being His beloved child. I pray that this truth will become etched in my heart this Christmas.

In Jesus’s most precious name, Amen.