The Prince of Peace 10th study in the series on the ‘Names of Christ’ adapted from PCC Prayer Meeting Exhortation on 28 Sep 2007. “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, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The Lord Jesus Christ is known by many names and titles throughout the Scriptures. Some of these names evoke a sense of intellectual amazement such as ‘Seed of the Woman’ and ‘Wonderful’. Some of these names draw us to Christ in times of perplexity such as ‘Good Shepherd’ and ‘Counsellor.’ Others evoke a sense of awe and wonder such as ‘King of kings, Lord of lords’ and ‘Mighty God’. Yet others evoke a sense of gratitude and love such as ‘Lamb of God’ and ‘Everlasting Father’. But among all the names, I can think of none so comforting as the last name in Isaiah 9:6, ‘The Prince of Peace.’ Christ is also alluded to as the ‘King of Peace’, the anti-type of Melchizedek in Hebrews 7:2. But somehow, the name Prince of Peace has a much more comforting tone to it. 1. Why is Christ called ‘The Prince of Peace’? The word ‘peace’ can hardly be described any simply. It speaks of quietness, happiness, calm and contentment. Also, in the Hebrew language ‘peace’ often signifies ‘prosperity,’ for as Calvin puts it: “of all blessings not one is better or more desirable than peace.” Christ is the Prince of Peace, because He is appointed of the Father as the author, preserver and finisher of peace. He creates peace, He commands peace, He protects peace, He guarantees peace. He is our peace. We can have no peace except in Him. The world can know no peace except in Him. When He was born, the angels sang: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Lk 2:14). There are some, especially amongst the postmillennialist as well as premillennialists who suggest that this peace that the angels talk about has to do with outward peace in the world, or peace between men and men. Postmillennialists believe that this peace will pervade the earth and then Christ will come again. Premillennialists argue that this peace will come upon the earth when Christ comes again, and the peace will last only 1000 years. Well, I believe Calvin is right that this peace is largely a reference to peace and tranquillity within the heart and conscience of the children of God. Commenting on Luke 2:14, Calvin says: They certainly do not speak of an outward peace cultivated by men with each other; but they say, that the earth is at peace, when men have been reconciled to God, and enjoy an inward tranquillity in their own minds. Likewise, commenting on Isaiah 9:6, Calvin insists that the peace “resides chiefly in the consciences,” though through this inner peace, we might taste outward peace with one another. Christ is the prince of peace. All who submit to His dominion will enjoy peace. They will lead a quiet and blessed life in obedience to Him, whereas those who refuse to submit to Him will live restless and miserable lives. We may think of this peace that Christ brings from three inter-related angles: Peace with God; Peace with Man and Peace with Circumstance. First, in terms of peace with God, we know that we are by nature ‘children of wrath’ (Eph 2:3) and enemies of God (Rom 5:8). But Christ died in order that we might be reconciled to God (Rom 5:10). As Paul puts it: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom 5:1). Christ is our prince of peace with God. Secondly, in terms of peace with one another, the apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 14— 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s, 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose,.… 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. In laying down His life for us, Christ reconciled us to God and therefore would have us love one another and have peace one with another. Those who have peace with God, therefore, cannot be at enmity with the brethren—especially over matters of indifference or matters that do not really matter. How can we claim to love God if we hate or refuse to be reconciled to those whom Christ died for, who may differ from us over some small matters? It is for this reason that Christian cannot bear grudges. The Lord himself says: “But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Mt 6:15). Every believer who has understood, what it means to be forgiven by the father, I believe, will seek to be at peace with the brethren even if they do not wish to be at peace with him. And moreover, since Christ is his prince of peace, he will have peace in his heart as long as he has sought reconciliation—even if the other party refuses. But thirdly, in terms of circumstances, when we know Christ as our Prince of Peace, we will know a peace that transcends circumstance. What the Lord said to His disciples, He says to us: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn 14:27). Christ our Prince of Peace is on the throne. Unto Him is committed our redemption. Unto Him is entrusted the promise of God that all things will work together for good to them that love God. Those who love Him and know Him can ride through the storms of life without being overwhelmed or tempted to give up. Again, Calvin puts it beautifully when he says: “so long as we trust the grace of Christ, no troubles that can arise will prevent us from enjoying composure and serenity of mind.” Is Christ your Prince of Peace? But now let us ask: What shall we do with the knowledge that Christ is the Prince of Peace? 2. Our Response Let us draw three simple applications from the pen of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4-7: 4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. What have these 3 instructions got to do with Christ as the Prince of Peace? Well, the next verse makes it clear: 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. In other words, if we would do the three things, we shall enjoy the peace that Christ the Prince of Peace would bestow upon us. And providentially, these 3 things have to do with the 3 ways in which Christ is our Prince of Peace, namely, peace with God, peace with others, and peace with circumstance. a. First, then, let us rejoice in the Lord always. As we have been reconciled to God, and as Christ the Prince of Peace has demonstrated His great love for us, let us learn to rejoice in Him. Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him. Let us learn to learn to live a joyful life by looking to Christ our Prince of Peace constantly. Joy is not something we cannot will. Christian joy is purposeful. It is not only a response to circumstances. It is an act of the will. Paul seems to be suggesting as he repeats himself: “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Beloved brethren, let us learn to stir up our hearts to rejoice simply by looking at the Lord and praising Him and thanking Him. b. Secondly, “5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” The word moderation may also be translated ‘gentleness.’ In fact, it is translated as ‘patient’ and ‘gentle’ in all 4 other occurrences of the word in the New Testament (1 Tim 3:3; Tit 3:3; Jas 3:17; 1 Pet 2:18). I think the idea that Paul is seeking to bring across is that we must learn to be at peace with one another since Christ is the Prince of Peace. And the way to be at peace is through gentleness, patience or moderation in our responses to one another. In the context you will realise how Paul is very concerned about the quarrel between Syntyche and Euodias. What was the matter between them? I would suggest that they were really inconsequential matters—matters that did not really matter. Indeed, I would put to you that most of the quarrels in the church, in any church, revolve around matters which are of little consequence. But we are all very proud creatures. We are slow to apologise and slow to forgive. What shall we do under such circumstances? The answer is: Look to the Prince of Peace, learn of Him, be humble, let your moderation, gentleness and patience be known to all men including those who irritate or disappoint you. This I must do as I recognise that the Prince of Peace not only died for me, but for my brethren, even if I can’t get along with him. c. But finally, if Christ is our Prince of Peace, let us learn to commit all things that trouble our hearts unto the Lord in prayer. Paul says: 6 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Christ, our Prince of Peace, has been committed the outworking of providence in the world. What shall we do when we face distresses of all sorts, but to turn unto Him? Let us pray, but let us pray with thanksgiving; not with despair and hopelessness. Let us pray confidently, worrying for nothing, rather than pray with a heart full of doubt. Let us do so in the knowledge that Christ is our Prince of Peace. Conclusion Beloved brethren and children, if Christ is our Prince of Peace, let us bear these things in mind. Let us pray with thanksgiving and hope when things in our life trouble us. Let us look to Christ our Prince of Peace knowing that He is in control and He will bless us with peace. Let us seek to be moderate, gentle and patient with our brethren, especially with those we disagree with or are disappointed with—for Christ is our Prince of Peace. His name is most highly exalted when we have peace with one another. And let us rejoice in Him who is our Prince of Peace, for because of Him, we have Peace with God, which is above and beyond all things, the most important blessing we can enjoy in this life and in all eternity. Amen. —JJ Lim
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