HIS GOSPEL IS PEACE DAY 23

 

December 23, 2024

 

Isaiah 9:6–7

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. 


Peace, as an idea, is immensely popular. We love talking about it, posting about it, dreaming about it and planning for it.

But it sure can be elusive, can't it?

Despite its universal appeal, peace doesn’t mark our world, and I  don’t simply mean unsettling headlines from Israel, Palestine, Syria, Ukraine, Russia or some other distant lands in conflict. Even in the safest neighborhoods, the highest paying jobs, a strong economy, falling crime rates, for most countries, peace remains out of reach. 

Seven centuries before the Messiah's birth, the prophet Isaiah issued a message of hope. Addressing the Israelites, who were about to be exiled for their rebellion and idolatry, he pointed them to a future time when a solution, would come from God himself. In fact, Isaiah says the remedy would be God himself.

This coming gift is cosmic in proportion and yet intensely personal.  And the gift is divine: the promised child will be the “Mighty God.” We also note that it’s a gift tied to the very thing that eludes us. The promised child will also be called the “Prince of Peace”, a fitting title because, there will be no end to “the increase of his government and of peace.” See that? No exceptions, no elusiveness, no expiration date.

The baby in the manger didn’t stay there, he grew up and obeyed his Father to the point of death, even death on a cross. On the Cross Jesus made peace between God and humankind through his death. (see Eph. 2:14–17).

No other religion teaches anything like this. Each one insists, in some form or another, that a person must achieve the peace of God, which is also why it never happens. In Christianity, however, you can

receive the peace of God, through trusting Jesus;

enjoy the peace of God, through following Jesus;

and spread the peace of God, through proclaiming Jesus.

Bottom line is, if we want to experience the peace of God, we must know the God of peace. And if you want to know the God of peace, you must embrace his only begotten Son.

Real peace isn’t found in a successful job or a secure neighborhood, or any of the other pursuits  the world temps us with. It’s not found in food or exercise or travel or holiday cheer. No, peace is only found in the Prince of it. For Jesus is our peace.

Hail the heaven-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Sun of righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings
Risen with healing in his wings

– Charles Wesley, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”