https://www.bible.com/events/49361778
Church of the Nazarene East Rockingham Campus
The Names of Jesus Part 3 East Rock
The Prince of Peace
Today we continue our Advent teaching series “The Names of Jesus”
Throughout this series we are looking at a few of the different names that the scriptures give to Jesus. Names In the bible often hold far more meaning and importance than what we are accustomed to in our time. Names often spoke of a persons character and even their destiny. The same is true for Jesus.
We continue today with a name for Jesus found in Isaiah 9, The Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
In the days of Isaiah when this was written, the people had turned away from serving the Lord, they weren’t really worshipping him like they were called to do. And they were living in the consequences of those decisions.
God sent the prophet Isaiah to warn his people about the coming judgement, he warned them to change their ways, but they refused. Soon they would be overcome by the neighboring nation of Assyria, and taken captive to their land. It was anything but tidings of great joy, certainly nothing to sing carols about.
But In the midst of this dark and chaotic place, this word of hope breaks through. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…
Hope comes on the horizon in the form of a baby born to rule his people, to bring restoration and redemption to God’s people. He would be the wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.
When the bible talks about peace, it’s looking beyond what we might typically think of with a quiet still morning, or just the absence of noise and conflict.
The word for peace in the Old Testament, is the word shalom.
Shalom carries the idea of completeness, or wholeness. It’s like a puzzle with all its pieces in place. It’s not just that the outside is peaceful, but internally we are complete and whole.
It’s well being, restfulness, peace deep within. Peace that is not dependent on circumstances.
That’s the peace this new king that Isaiah spoke about would bring.
As we step into the story of Christmas in the New Testament, we are invited to see Jesus as the one who fulfills this hope-filled promise from Isaiah
Luke 2:9-14
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Generations had waited for this moment, for this hope to break out. And it’s here. The child has been given.
The Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace was here.
It’s interesting that the world seemingly had no more at peace after the arrival of the prince of Peace than ours does today. Rome was still in charge, Herod was still king, and He would still try to kill Jesus.
It was anything but a tranquil setting that was free of conflict.
But yet it’s right there in the midst of all the chaotic realities of life in this fallen world that we see the beautiful truth of Christmas- The Prince of Peace has come and he offers us peace in the midst of our chaotic world.
And he offers wholeness and healing, to put the pieces together in the lives of those who look to him in faith. The gift of peace has been given.
The gift of peace has been given, how then do we experience the peace of the prince of peace?
That journey has to begin with the understanding that Jesus has come to offer us peace with God himself.
If we don’t know peace in our lives with God, peace anywhere else in life will never be found. We must start by seeking peace with God.
Colossians 1:19-20 “19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.”
The Prince of Peace came to make peace through his death on the Cross. As we surrender our lives to him, peace begins to take root and grow in our hearts, and it will transcend into our daily lives. That’s true peace, from the Prince of Peace.
Next, to experience the Peace of Jesus, we have to believe it’s possible.
Not possible in a conceptual, made up way in our minds, but actually possible in the midst of the chaotic reality of our lives and our world.
Jesus himself said in John 14:27 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
To experience the Peace of the Prince of Peace, we need to take the step of faith and believe what he said. “My peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”
I think it’s all to easy for us to approach the topic of peace and imagine that our circumstances are more real, are more powerful, than the peace that Jesus says we are to have.
To receive the peace of Christ, to live into that promise, we have to believe that his peace is for us, no matter what is happening in our hearts or in our world.
The chaos of the first Christmas didn’t stop him from bringing peace, and the chaos of 2024 wont either. He came to bring peace.
Finally As we take a step of faith to believe, we also need to take an active role in pursing peace in our lives.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Jesus says that he has given us his peace, now we have to take action in not allowing our hearts to be troubled. That tells me, peace is not automatic. Just because he’s given it, doesn’t mean we will have it.
We have to pursue and defend the gift of peace that Christ is brining to our lives.
The Gift of peace has been given, lets embrace the Prince of Peace.