For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and

his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6 ASV)

In this familiar text, the prophet Isaiah identifies the coming Messiah as the Prince of Peace. I suspect

that our familiarity with this passage leads us to read these words without taking time to consider their

meaning. So, let’s take a few moments to consider what it means that He is the Prince of Peace.

To say that Messiah is the Prince of Peace, is to identify him as the sovereign of the kingdom of peace.

As the ruler of this kingdom, He is the source and ruler of peace. This is not a peace that simply

represents the absence of conflict, or a run of good days, or prosperity, or any of the other ways that

our culture might define peace. This is genuine, lasting peace. This is the peace of which Jesus spoke to

His disciples on the night before his crucifixion: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not

give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid (John 14:27). He is

this peace.

So how, in the midst of a world of strife on every hand, can folks like you and me experience this peace?

I think that answer is found in how Paul addressed the early church in his writing to the churches of his

day. His greeting routinely includes the following or similar words: Grace and peace to you from God

our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:2).

You will find this same greeting in Galatians 1:3, Philippians 1:2, Colossians 1:2, 1 Thessalonians 1:1, and

2 Thessalonians 1:2. If the Apostle Paul felt it important to routinely include this in his greetings to the

early churches, I would suggest that the words convey something important. Not only the words, but

the order of the words conveys a great truth. The path to His peace is found in first experiencing His

grace. There is simply no way to experience true and lasting peace outside of the grace found in the

Prince of Peace.

If you find yourself lacking peace, what about the Prince of Peace? He has done all that is required to

redeem you and bring you true peace.

By Jesse Smith