The Prince Of Peace Has Arrived!

The great prophet Isaiah lived approximately 700 years before Jesus was born. And what is amazing about this prophet, is that his book, The Book Of Isaiah, found in the Old Testament, gives incredibly accurate glimpses of the coming Savior, Jesus. Actually, the Old Testament as a whole, contains an anticipation of a coming Messiah. It just seems like Isaiah really nails it. And nails it several times throughout his book.

First, Isaiah predicts the virgin birth of Jesus!! 

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14 -   Immanuel means 'God with us) 

Then Isaiah gives titles for the coming Messiah, Jesus. 

"For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

What I want to focus on is the specific title, the "Prince of Peace". This title describes Jesus perfectly. Jesus is the one, and the only one, who can guide us to the path of peace. 

"Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the PATH OF PEACE.” (Luke 1:78-79)

Jesus is truly the Prince of Peace. I love that title for Jesus. A prince by definition is a monarch, a ruler, a member of the royal family. Jesus is a prince in the sense that He is part of the God-head (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). And He is a prince in the sense that He has been giving all authority, and has supremacy over all things. (Matthew 28:18, Colossians 1:15-20)

The great news announcing the birth of the Prince of Peace was announced to the shepherds by a multitude of angels. The angels proclaimed...

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth PEACE to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14)

But what is this "peace" that Jesus brings? Is it peace in the sense of elimination of war and violence. No. Is it peace in the sense of no personal troubles, hardships, or sorrows? No. So what is this peace that the angels were talking about - the peace that Jesus offers?

The clue is found in the last phrase of what the angels announced to the shepherds. 

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS.” (Luke 2:14)

The peace that Jesus brings is offered to those who believe in Him, who follow Him, who accept Him and not reject Him. You see, the peace He offers is not of the physical realm, but of the spiritual realm. It's an inner peace. We, as Christians, have this inner peace for several reasons.......

GOD IS WITH US. Remember the title Immanuel, which means God with us. Jesus was God in the flesh. He came to earth in the form of a man in order to die on the cross for our sins, offering us salvation, so we can be right with God. Jesus experienced our hardships, our temptations, and our sorrows, and our concerns. He knows what we go through, therefore He can relate to everything we experience.

GOD IS IN US. As Christians, Jesus now lives within us. We have His spirit in us to guide us and comfort us and counsel us. And He is with us no matter what we go through. He will never leave us or forsake us or give up on us. Here is one important truth....we are never alone or abandoned if we are one of His.

GOD IS FOR US. In good times and in bad, He works for the good of those who love Him. He is the perfect Father who cares for His children. He is a real-time God who works in our favor, intervenes in our life, and we can rely on His providence. He is in control.

So...the Prince of Peace delivers a peace that is an inner peace. He guides us on the path of peace throughout our entire life. He is with us. He is in us. He is for us.

That's why we celebrate His birth. We celebrate because we know what His entry into this world delivers. That's why the angels proclaimed. "Glory to God in the highest." We should echo those same words.