ODJ: The Prince of Peace

August 18, 2018 

READ: Isaiah 9:6-7;Luke 2:1-14 

He will be called . . . Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end (Isaiah 9:6-7).

In their book The Lessons of History, historians Will and Ariel Durant note, “War is one of the constants of history. . . . In the last 3,421 years of recorded history, only 268 have seen no war.” The United Nations was formed at the end of World War II “to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war,” so the world could “live together in peace with one another”. But with more than 300 wars fought since 1945, we have yet to experience worldwide peace. Will it ever be realised?

There was once peace on earth, after God first created a harmonious world (Genesis 1:31). But when Adam and Eve disobeyed God, this perfect harmony was shattered (3:1-19). We’re now a people of conflict. We fight against God, against each other and within ourselves (Psalm 2:1-3; Galatians 5:17; Ephesians 2:14).

But God promised a Messiah who would bring everlasting peace. As Isaiah prophesied: “The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called . . . Prince of Peace. His government and its peace will never end” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

This prophecy was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. To our world of conflict, the angel gave the “good news” of the birth of a baby. With thousands of babies born each year, the angels celebrated this baby, Jesus, as the One who would bring “great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10).

Because of Jesus, peace with God is possible (Romans 5:1). And we can also experience the peace of God (Philippians 4:6-7).

We can also know that peace on earth is a future reality (Isaiah 11:6-9), for Jesus, the Prince of Peace, will come again. Let’s celebrate with the angels, saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14).

—K.T. Sim

365-day plan: John 11:1-36