This is the one-hundred-eighty-sixth lesson in author and pastor Mel Lawrenz’ How to Live the Bible series. If you know someone or a group who would like to follow along on this journey through Scripture, they can get more info and sign up to receive these essays via email here.

“And he will be called…Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

When you ask people what they are seeking and hoping for in their lives today, one of the most common answers is peace. People get weary from conflict, tension, and chaos. That is true today, and it was true in the time when Jesus was born.

In ancient times, princes, whether they desired it or not, often became warriors. Rulers of nations may talk about peace, but nothing is more elusive than peace. And so, when Isaiah talked about a child who would be born, a son who would be given, one who would be called “Prince of Peace,” it sounded like high rhetoric, wishful thinking. Could it ever happen?

When you look at the life of Jesus, it hardly appears to be a life of peace. He was in constant conflict with people who had invented their own ideas about God, and with people who didn’t want God to meddle in their affairs at all. Jesus had enemies. In the end he died a most violent death, which was preceded by humiliating abuse. His followers were harassed and persecuted. Fishermen died as martyrs.

Yet, it is in Jesus’ sacrifice that he became Prince of Peace. Only when the chief enemies of humanity—sin, death, evil—were defeated could people live in peace with God, with themselves, and with the world.

And so, yes, he was the Prince of Peace. The angel was right in saying “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace…” (Luke 2:14). The apostle Paul offered a sincere blessing of peace when he said: “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way” (2 Thess. 3:16).

This is the kind of prince—a ruler brand-new to the world—that the prophecies described. So when we think of Bethlehem, we must remember that it was not the stable that made this baby unique, nor the virtues of Mary or Joseph, nor the angelic presence, nor any other feature of those extraordinary days—as important as they are. The child was remarkable because Jesus is the only Prince to truly bring a lasting peace—a peace that has lasted for millennia, and will last into eternity.

Where do you need to find peace in your life at this time? Your family? Your workplace? Your inner life? We can be assured of this: God is for peace and reconciliation, and God wants to bring order where there has been chaos in our lives.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, I know there will be battles in my life, and I know that some fights between what is right and wrong are necessary. But help me to live in the calm and confidence that you have made it possible for me to live at peace with you.

[See next – Different King, Different Kingdom]

[See previous – God Dwelling With Us]
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Mel Lawrenz (@MelLawrenz) trains an international network of Christian leaders, ministry pioneers, and thought-leaders. He served as senior pastor of Elmbrook Church in Brookfield, Wisconsin, for ten years and now serves as Elmbrook’s teaching pastor. He has a PhD in the history of Christian thought and is on the adjunct faculty of Trinity International University. Mel’s many books include Spiritual Leadership Today: Having Deep Influence in Every Walk of Life (Zondervan, 2016). See more of Mel’s writing at WordWay.