The Prince Of Peace

The Concept of Peace

Peace is a concept that conveys harmony, tranquillity, and the absence of stress or hostility. In the Bible, "shalom" (Hebrew) refers to completeness and welfare, while "eirene" (Greek) often describes the inner tranquillity of a Christian who trusts in God through Christ. Peace is a crucial virtue needed in both the world and the church today, yet not everyone experiences it.

The Lack of Peace Among Different Groups

Many people struggle with a lack of peace. The wicked find no peace because their sins separate them from God and disrupt relationships

-       Isaiah 48:22, "There is no peace,” says the Lord, “for the wicked";

-       Isaiah 59:2, "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear"

Even faithful disciples can lose their peace when overwhelmed by life’s distractions, as seen in Martha’s story (Luke 10:41-42, "And Jesus answered and said to her, 'Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her'"). Concerned servants of God, like Paul and Epaphroditus, often experience distress and anxiety over their fellow believers

-       2 Corinthians 2:12-13, "Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.";

-       Philippians 2:25-26, "Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need, since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick"

These examples illustrate the universal need for peace.

Jesus as the Source of Peace

Jesus came to bring peace, as foretold by prophets like Isaiah (Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace") and celebrated by the heavenly host at His birth (Luke 2:8-14, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 'Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!'"). He is the "Prince of Peace," offering a peace that the world cannot provide (John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid"). His apostles also proclaimed this message of peace to the lost, emphasizing that true peace comes through Jesus Christ (Acts 10:36, "The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all").

The Peace Jesus Offers

Jesus offers various forms of peace: peace with God through justification (Romans 5:1, "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"), peace with mankind by breaking down barriers (Galatians 3:28, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus"), and peace within oneself that surpasses understanding

-       He also provides peace within families through adherence to His teachings (Colossians 3:18-21, "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged"), 

-       Peace among brethren (1 Peter 3:8-12, "Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tender-hearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing... For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil"),

-       peace within churches to overcome denominational divisions (John 17:20-23, "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me"; 1 Corinthians 14:33, "For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints"), 

-       peace with enemies by following His example (Matthew 5:44, "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you").

Conclusion: Seeking and Embracing Peace

If you lack peace due to wicked practices, misplaced priorities, or genuine concerns, Jesus, the Prince of Peace, offers His peace to you. As Paul prayed in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 ("Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all").