The Prince of Peace!

Yesterday I spent part of the day getting out the decorations so my home will soon be transformed and to add to it we had our first snow fall so in many ways you could definitely say it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas.  Today’s message could be considered a Christmas message and though I celebrate Christ daily the birth of Jesus is a joyous occasion reminding us of the greatest gift of all. The message spoken by the angels at the time of his birth was of peace.


If you would, turn in your Bibles to the Gospel of Luke chapter 2 starting with the 13th verse:


Luke 2:13-14 (KJV)


13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.


And on earth peace! When you think of this what comes to mind? 


At the time of creation God created man and placed him in the Garden of Eden.  A place that today would be described as the ultimate vacation get away full of peace and tranquility.  A place where in the cool of the day you can walk and talk with God and fellowship with Him the way is was meant to be.   For Adam the only thing that he had to do to stay was to not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  We all know the story he did eat and was escorted out of the Garden.  His life of true peace was gone, sin and death reigned.  The world was now definitely not the way God meant it to be.


But God had a plan, aren’t you glad God had a plan?  Praise God, I am!


In Romans 5:19 (Amplified Bible) we read:


For just as by one man's disobedience (failing to hear, heedlessness, and carelessness) the many were constituted sinners, so by one Man's obedience the many will be constituted righteous (made acceptable to God, brought into right standing with Him).


What one man Adam gave away, another man Jesus will take back, a hero, a deliverer.


In Isaiah 9:6 Jesus is described this way:  


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, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 


What does peace mean to you?  Some might say no more wars, others might say no more struggles, while others say being carefree.  You might even say I want this peace in my life, but how do I get it? In:


John 16:31-33 (Amplified Bible)


31 Jesus answered them, Do you now believe? [Do you believe it at last?]
32 But take notice, the hour is coming, and it has arrived, when you will all be dispersed and scattered, every man to his own home, leaving Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]


So what does that mean? To the unbeliever, I say believe.  Can it really be that simple?  Yes!  As a believer you could probably say that I know that the birth of Jesus was to bring peace back into the world.  I know that Jesus lived, died, resurrected and will return.  I know he did it all for me, but you need to understand I don’t have this peace you are talking about.  


Well brother, I know exactly what you are saying, I have been there, and I have the T-shirt to prove it!  The problem is most people when they read the above passage they agree with what they relate to, thinking about tribulation, trials, distress, and frustration and they miss it.  Jesus said, “Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!”  Today it could be said this way, “Be happy, I took care of it for you!”  Be confident in knowing that yes there will be storms raging all around you but know you can rest in knowing that Jesus has rebuked the storms and continually says “Peace be still!” 


As we move forward in this Christmas season, remember the reason for the season, the birth of love given out of love for everyone because of the love of the Father! Let us also remember the gift of peace that Jesus gave to each and everyone of us before he proclaimed, “It is finished”.   


John 14:27 (Amplified Bible)


Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]


Throughout His life before and after His resurrection Jesus constantly spoke of peace.  So today go in peace knowing that Jesus wants you to have a peaceful life and that He wants that peace to abundantly abound in your life.  Go and tell others of this peace that passes all understanding and let them know that Jesus is “The Prince of Peace”!


I close today with this passage found in;


Philippians 4:6-7 (Amplified Bible)


6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 
7 And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.


Remember the reason for the season, Merry Christmas!


God loves you!