Advent 2018: Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6-7 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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

Over the past four weeks, we have been preparing for Christmas by looking at the prophecy from Isaiah 9:6-7. 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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

We looked at Jesus’ role as the Wonderful Counselor who guides us to a good destination. We looked at Jesus’ role as Mighty God. Jesus is Immanuel, God with us! We further studied how Jesus is our Everlasting Father. As our Father, he gives us good gifts. 

Today we look at the fourth aspect of Isaiah’s prophecy. Prince of Peace. Sometimes it is easier to accept Jesus’ other aspects: We recognize his wisdom when he counsels us. We can accept that he is Mighty God and Everlasting Father. But how do we understand his role as Prince of Peace when we see turmoil all around us? On a global scale, we see wars and fighting everywhere. The American Embassy in DRC has told non-emergency personnel to leave because of the political unrest there. On a personal level, we experience turmoil and chaos. Sickness, poverty, suffering. 

In fact, in John 16:33, Jesus himself affirms this, telling his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble.” Not “you might have trouble,” but “you will have trouble.” And all but two of his disciples went on to be martyrs for their faith. 

So how can Jesus be the Prince of Peace when even his closest followers experience such troubles? Well, let’s go back to John 16:33. Jesus has been telling his disciples what is going to happen to him, and what will happen with them as well when he is crucified. Terrifying stuff, really. So Jesus tells them that “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” 

You see, many people see peace as the absence of war. If we’re not actively fighting, we must be at peace, right? Except that this is not what peace really is. This concept of peace is only a part of it. It would be like saying “I know what a football team is. It is a striker.” No, a striker is only part of a football team. Peace in the Bible is most often linked to the Hebrew word Shalom. This concept encompasses wholeness in every area of life, including health, security, well-being, and even salvation. You see, you can have all of this even in times when you do have trouble. And furthermore, Shalom is never something that we bring about ourselves. It is always a gift or blessing from God!

You see, when Jesus re-establishes the throne of David, he will base it on justice and righteousness instead of violence and coercion. Instead of demanding his way, instead of winning by fighting or beating us into submission, Jesus shows us love by restoring us to right relationship with God. We look with hope to the end of earthly wars, but then we find ourselves still without peace. I read this morning that in the 242 year history of the United States, there have only been 17 years without war. How can we say we are a country at peace? 

So when Isaiah prophecies about the Prince of Peace, he is not simply talking about deliverance from Assyria. And when Jesus is born, he is not simply there to overthrow Rome and re-establish Israel as a nation in the Middle East. No, he is establishing an endless rule of justice, righteousness, and peace.

How will Jesus do this? How will he deliver his people from arrogance, war, oppression, and coercion? By being more arrogant, more warlike, more oppressive, and more coercive? Surely, the book of Isaiah indicates frequently that God was powerful enough to destroy his enemies in an instant, yet again and again, when the prophet comes to the heart of the means of deliverance, a childlike face peers out at us. God is strong enough to overcome his enemies by becoming vulnerable, transparent, and humble—the only hope, in fact, for turning enemies into friends.

This is the only way we can have peace in times of trouble — because Jesus has overcome the world! 

It is appropriate that the title Prince of Peace should come as the last of the series, for it is the climactic one. What sort of king is this? He is a peaceful king, one who comes in peace and one who establishes peace, not by a brutal squashing of all defiance, but by means of a transparent vulnerability which makes defiance pointless. Somehow through him will come the reconciliation between God and man that will then make possible reconciliation between man and man.

So in the Christmas story, we see Jesus introduced by the angels this way (in Luke 2:13): 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.”

Jesus comes to establish peace. But how do we have peace in our lives? First of all, know that peace is best described as a Fruit of the Spirit. How does fruit grow? A seed is planted, it is watered, but God gives in increase. Likewise, the Holy Spirit plants the seed of peace, and we nurture it in our lives, but true peace only comes from God. How do we nurture peace? 

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi shortly before he died (in Philippians 4:6-7) Do not be anxious about anything… Let me pause there. How can we keep from being anxious? By knowing the God of Creation. By having the Holy Spirit living in us. By the gift that Jesus gave us.  What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). 

OK, let’s go back to Philippians 4. Do not be anxious about anything, Instead of being anxious what do we do? but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Remember, if God is for us, who can be against us? We already know who has already won! And the peace of God,  which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 

Certainly our Jesus is the Prince of Peace, bringing peace even to you and me!