The title "The Prince of Peace" is the last in the list of five titles of Christ in Isaiah 9:6. What peace it must have brought to God’s people who had been violated and devastated by godless princes that reigned over them, when Isaiah prophesied to them the coming of the Prince of Peace! It was not only to them, but even to the people of our time who have been marred by the tyranny of Satan and sin that this title of Christ brings great consolation.
Christ alone is worthy of the title "The Prince of Peace"! Because...
At His birth, the angels announced, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). Christ is the only One who can ultimately bring lasting peace on earth. While Christ was ministering to His disciples, He said, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you" (John 14:27). Observe His absolute claim about peace: "My peace"! Notice also His claim that He is the giver of peace. True peace belongs to Him. He is the source of peace.
To all those who come to Christ in repentance and faith, and subject themselves in obedience to Him as their King, He will give peace. But, there is no peace to the wicked and rebellious ones (Isaiah 48:22; cf. Isaiah 57:21). Only those who follow Christ with yielded hearts and minds shall have the joyous experience of His peace.
Jesus’ readiness to dispense His peace to those who trust Him had been seen several times.
Jesus promised peace to a sinful woman who demonstrated faith and devotion to Him – "Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (Luke 7:50). After healing a woman who suffered from an issue of blood for 12 years, Jesus said to her, "Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace" (Luke 8:48; cf. Mark 5:34). He assured His disciples, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace" (John 16:33). After His resurrection, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of His disciples and said unto them, "Peace be unto you" (Luke 24:36; cf. John 20:19, 21, 26).
In fact, throughout the New Testament, Christ is declared as the dispenser of divine peace. In Acts 10:36, Peter says, "The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all)." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 – "Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all."
Christ came to this world that by His death He might reconcile to God those who come to Him by faith. Man’s sins have alienated him from God. In Colossians 1:20-22, Paul wrote: "And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight."
Romans 5:1 tells us: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." When we genuinely believe on Christ, we are declared righteous by God. All rebellion, upheaval and war cease, and our sins are forgiven. Thus we have peace with God. Romans 5:10 also tells us: "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life." Though once estranged from God, we are now brought by Christ to be at peace with God.
When men are reconciled to God, all sorts of divisions which have existed among them also cease, and they come together in peace to worship God. Thus, Christ becomes our peace. This wonderful truth is taught in Ephesians 2:13-17 – "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh."
Before coming to Christ, they were alienated and separated from one another because of their diverse social and religious backgrounds. They worshipped different gods, practised different religious rites and held different views and feelings. The Jews regarded the Gentiles with hatred, and the Gentiles the Jews with scorn. But now in Christ, they are at peace with each other. They have the same Saviour. They are both guided by His Spirit. They have the same hope. They belong to the same redeemed family. Reconciliation has taken place not only with God, but also with each other. In Christ, there is peace with God and peace among men.
Prince of Peace (sar-shalom) is a Hebrew expression which denotes that Christ is a peaceful prince. Christ is truly the King of Peace, as His pre-figure Melchisedec symbolized (Hebrews 7:2). He possesses true, imperishable, indestructible and enduring peace. Nothing can sabotage His peace. While the disciples were frightened by the violent storm and waves, He was seen sleeping in the hinder part of the boat. Amidst the great storm, He was in perfect peace! Behold, the Prince of Peace! He rides the great storm! Then He hushed the tempest with His royal decree: "Peace, be still" (Mark 4:39).
His royalty as the Prince of Peace was on full display when He was surrounded by heartless traitors, cruel mockers, and murderous religious and political leaders. While they taunted Him relentlessly, He exuded a glorious calmness and peace that could not be disturbed. His peace confounded His enemies. The Roman governor, Pilate, was greatly annoyed that Christ was undaunted by all the threatenings and aggressiveness of His accusers and prosecutors. It was just as Isaiah had foretold about the Prince of Peace: "He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7).
What blessed quietness! What peace! It is that perfect peace which Christ so wondrously manifested in His life and death that He offers to all who trust Him – "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" (John 14:27). The peace that Christ, the Prince of Peace, bequeaths is perfect peace. It is the same peace that He Himself enjoys, that kept His soul tranquil in the midst of all His sorrows, and into which He has now entered in His Father's kingdom above.
The world’s offer of peace is far inferior to that of the Prince of Peace. While the world’s peace is superficial, Christ gives us His peace that is supreme and sublime. The world gives partially while Christ gives perfectly. The world gives temporarily but Christ gives eternally. The Scriptures assure us in Isaiah 26:3 – "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Likewise, Philippians 4:7 affirms: "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."