Prince of Peace
ERICA SUMMEROUR
Scripture Readings:
Isaiah 9:6-7
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Armies will accomplish this.
Luke 2:8-14
In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors!
John 14:27a
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.
Ephesians 2:13-17
But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, 15 he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create in himself one new man from the two, resulting in peace. 16 He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross by which he put the hostility to death. 17 He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
Commentary:
The Path To Peace
Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Scripture tells us that He has power and authority to give us peace in our relationships with other people. Jesus can also give us peace when we face circumstances in our lives which are beyond our control. Above all else, Jesus is the only path to peace with our Heavenly Father.
When we experience conflict with other people, we have the best possible mediator available to us. Jesus, our Prince of Peace, is able to break down barriers of anger and hurt feelings.
When troubles come, we can have peace in the assurance that Jesus has complete authority over all of life’s circumstances. No event of our lives is a surprise to Him. We can find peace when we remember that Jesus has already seen the outcome of every situation we face, and that He assures us that we do not face life alone. Jesus, our Prince of Peace, is always with us.
Most importantly, Jesus is the only path to peace with our Heavenly Father. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He restores the broken relationship between us and God. In fact, Jesus took the punishment for our sins upon Himself so that we may know eternal peace with God. Jesus is our Prince of Peace.
Prayer & Reflection:
Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son, the Prince of Peace, that we may have peace with others, peace with the circumstances of our lives, and peace with You. This special holiday season, as we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, we pray for those who do not yet know the peace of a relationship Jesus.