Advent Week 2 - Jesus, the Prince of Peace
As we go into the second week of December, life around us is getting even more chaotic. With parades, parties, and school programs we are inundated with extra stuff to do right now. If you are anything like me, all of this extra noise has started to become a little overwhelming.
It is in times like this that I remind myself that Jesus came to bring us peace. In fact, one of the titles that is given to Him in Isaiah is Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 – 7 (ESV) 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. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. (Emphasis added)
This is one of the many prophecies that Isaiah brings forth about the coming Messiah. Here He is called Prince of Peace. Isaiah even says that of the increase of His peace there will be no end. Now, this peace is tied to His kingdom. As long as we are His disciples and part of His kingdom, we have access to the peace that Jesus provides.
What does the peace that Jesus provides look like in our lives?
Well, it is the opposite of being anxious. Paul told the Philippians that they should put aside their anxieties and allow the peace of God to guard their hearts and minds.
Philippians 4:6 – 7 (ESV) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
First, Paul tells them, this is a command, do not be anxious about anything. How often do we let our anxieties get the better of us? How often do we make a hobby out of worrying about things? This is in direct contradiction to the command of Scripture!
Do not be anxious about anything.
How are we supposed to accomplish this?
Look at the next phrase, in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. In other words, Paul is telling us that when we start to feel anxious about something we should pray about that thing and be thankful to God for the provision He has already provided. When we pray with thanksgiving we can lay our anxieties and worries down. What happens when we do that?
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”
Remember what Isaiah said about the increase of His peace? It will not end. When we allow Jesus to give us peace in the midst of all the chaos going on around us, it is unlike anything we can comprehend. His peace surpasses our understanding. We cannot fathom what it looks like or what it feels like to have that kind of peace unless we have experienced it before.
So, as we go deeper into this Christmas season, remember that Jesus came to bring us peace. Not a temporary moment of peace, but a peace that we cannot even understand. His peace is so unending that it will guard our hearts and minds. How this happens is something that we don’t fully understand. It is one of the many mysteries that we accept with faith when it comes to the ways of God. But it is one of the greatest blessings in this lifetime when you get to experience the peace of God in that way.