Prince of Peace | Advent Reflections
Written by Matt Allen, a Partner at The Paradox Church. Published December 2019.
The Peace to Come
Around 750 years before the birth of Christ, the prophet Isaiah wrote these breathtaking words about the Messiah to come:
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.
Isaiah 9:6-7, ESV
Here, we find this beautiful promise: The Prince of Peace is coming, will reign forever, and the increase of His peace will see no end.
Positional Peace
This Christmas we celebrate the grace of God to send us Christ in flesh to dwell among us (John 1:14). The incarnation, or coming of Christ, is best celebrated within the context of His death, burial and resurrection. Therein we find hope (Colossians 1:27), reconciliation (2 nd Corinthians 5:18), and peace with God because of His work of our behalf (Romans 5:1). For once we were slaves to sin (Romans 6:20), and children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3). Those of us in Christ were once not God’s people, but are now children of the living God (Romans 9:26). Romans 5 assures us that:
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2
Christian, rejoice this Christmas! For God, has sent Christ on our behalf! Positionally we are no longer at odds with God, but have everlasting peace with Him because Christ came, lived perfectly for us and died in our place. Nothing can steal this peace (Romans 8:37-39).
Experiential Peace
Why then do we not experience this peace every moment of our lives? Why are we anxious? Why do we worry? When I lack peace, self-reflection shows that I’ve often been forgetful of the promises of God extended to me. This isn’t to minimize the real suffering and anxieties God’s people experience on a day to day basis, but should elevate the actual comforting power of God to do what He has promised and increase the peace of Christ without measure.
For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility.
Ephesians 2:14, ESV
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
John 14:26-27, ESV
Here we see the true beauty: Christ has not only made a way for us to be at peace with God, but He IS our peace. More than that, through the Spirit, the Father has provided us access to that peace by leading us to remember the Gospel.
Christ, Your Peace
This Christmas, in the busiest month of the year, with external stresses pressing in at all sides, may Christ be your peace. May His life, death and resurrection strike you in such a way that your heart and mind sing of His praises. May the God of all grace give you such a firm understanding of your positional peace with God, that it leads to experiential peace and worship. May our deepest breaths not be found in the comforts of this world, but in the grace of our Savior. Rejoice, Christian! Christ has come!