Point of Inspiration: Devotionals for Personal and Corporate Worship
Robert D. Pace
Jesus, “Prince of Peace”
In Isaiah 9, the prophet foresaw the Messiah in fourfold resplendence—the “Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.” The first three titles suggest Christ will be perfect in wisdom, omnipotent in strength, and eternal in provision. But Isaiah’s final designation—Prince of Peace—seems scarcely enough to describe the role deserving our Sovereign Savior. By definition, a prince is granted authority over a restricted territory. So does Isaiah dare to suggest that Christ’s authority has limits? Not at all! Consider the place of peace in the operation of God’s Kingdom:
When Jesus and the Apostles mentioned peace they regaled it as a basic need within the community of Believers. and used it as chief expression in their apostolic blessings and benedictions.
As Jesus lived among with his disciples, he endowed them with his blessing of peace (John 14:27); and his first blessing to them after his resurrection was, “Peace be unto you.”
Paul identified the Sovereign and Most High Lord as the “God of peace” (1 Thess. 5:23).
The Bible itself is called the “Gospel of Peace” (Eph. 6:15).
The Holy Spirit bequeathes the blessing of peace to Christians (Gal. 5:22).
And when Jesus returns, no doubt the Prophet Isaiah will arise and proclaim, “Of the increase of his government and [the] rule of [his] peace there shall be no end” (Isaiah 9:7).
Peace is the preeminent need of every reach, range, space, and gap of the Cosmos. And from the hearts of humanity to the outermost reaches of Creation, only Christ is fit for this princely assignment of restoring peace to Creation.