For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6, ESV)
We spent the last few days reflecting on the meaning and significance of the names in Isaiah’s prophesy, identifying who this virgin-born baby would be for humanity. So far, we were told that he would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, and Everlasting Father. Today, we will consider the final name— Prince of Peace.
What does our world know of peace? Anxiety tyrannically governs many individual lives, especially the affluent in the West. War and the hovering threat of war reign all over the world. Even now, the sabers are rattling in China and, as always, in Russia. Especially in America, chaos and confusion undermine effective politics, educational leadership, and cultural civility in our society.
Peace is, indeed, in short supply. It is no secret that plenty cry “peace, peace,” but in fact, have no solutions for providing this ever-allusive virtue. Governments, which were appointed by God to establish peace and protect justice, are now rogue nations thumbing their noses at his righteous commands.
This promise by the prophet Isaiah—that the Messiah would be the Prince of Peace—seems far-fetched at first glance. Wars and rumors of war abound. Family members are alienated in strife and unforgiveness. Political parties are farther apart than ever. Academics no longer invite disagreement and debate. Incivility reigns in the public square. In an age that preaches tolerance, intolerance has gained the upper hand.
What are we to make of this name? Can we, with any integrity, say that the Christ-child is the Prince of Peace? Can we honestly point to the peace that he has produced? Of course, we can!
Isaiah looks beyond our age into the age to come and informs us there is coming a time when there will be no more wars, no more disease, no more sin, no more death, and no more hostilities.We are not so naïve as to bury our heads in the sand by denying the reality of a world lost in confusion, chaos, and combat. But we are also not so dimwitted, failing to recognize that this promise of peace is qualified. It requires nuance.
First, this promise of peace doesn’t begin on the horizontal plane between people and nations. It begins in our relationship as individuals and nations on the vertical plane between a righteous God and his insubordinate creatures. Scripture is abundantly clear that humanity is at war with God. As remarkable as that sounds, it is, nevertheless, true.
The first thing Scripture wants us to know is that we were made in his image in order that we might have a loving relationship with our Maker. The second truth that Scripture teaches is that we have revolted against Him and His righteous commands. Consequently, we are now, tragically, considered covenant breakers. As such, we are under the righteous judgment of the Almighty. If we were to stop there, life would be hopeless. Despair would triumph.
However, the gloriously good news of Isaiah looks forward with prophetic insight and declares that the righteous Judge will make peace with us through the self-sacrifice of his beloved Son dying on a cross on our behalf. Yes, Jesus is the Prince of Peace precisely because he has removed the hostility caused by our law-breaking; he absorbs the just wrath of God on our behalf.
Secondly, the testimonies of millions across the centuries tell their stories of peace. Stories of reconciliation between formerly warring family members and irreconcilable friends are so abundant that any attempt to dismiss them makes the naysayer look foolish. Christ is, without question, the Prince of Peace.
Finally, Isaiah looks beyond our age into the age to come and informs us there is coming a time when there will be no more wars, no more disease, no more sin, no more death, and no more hostilities. As he would poetically say in another place, “the wolf will lie down with the lamb” (Isaiah 11:6).
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Dennis Darville
December 24, 2021
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