Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Isaiah 9:6 The Prince of Peace

Isaiah 9:6  “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” (NASB)

The prophet Isaiah refers to Jesus as the “Prince of Peace” in his prophecy of the coming Messiah.  Many, I think, have the wrong idea as to what this refers. 

My adolescence was during the late sixties and early seventies and I attended a church that was pretty wound up about the war in Vietnam.  That is to say, they were adamantly against it and I heard Sunday after Sunday preaching and teaching on ending the war and establishment of peace; peace on earth.  You might think, as did many in that little church, that calling on the “Prince of Peace” is the answer to world peace.

Jesus himself though gives us His point of view.  He says, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34 NASB)  So if Jesus, the “Prince of Peace” didn’t come to bring peace on earth why the name?  Fortunately scripture gives the answer to that too.  Colossians 1:19-20 says, “For it was the Father's good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him,  and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.” (NASB)

So, the Prince of Peace brings another kind of peace. Not peace on earth rather peace between sinful man and Holy God. As we enter into this Christmas season, the celebration of Jesus’ birth, let’s remember to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, our Savior, our Redeemer. AMEN!

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