Experiencing Jesus, the Prince of Peace

All my life I’ve heard Isaiah 9:6-7 quoted during the Christmas season:

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.

To be honest, I’ve taken these scriptures for granted—until recently. What’s changed? Watching several Christian friends navigate life and death situations. Uncertainty looms for them, but hope and courage rise above the unknowns thanks to the meaning contained in the names of Christ listed in these familiar verses.

Prince of Peace

I especially appreciate “Prince of Peace.” Imagine this—when Christ reigns in us, He brings peace no matter what, and not in skimpy doses. He’s a prince whose storehouse never empties. His rich supply surpasses human understanding, and it’s more than enough to soothe and satisfy us.

Billy Graham once wrote,

“Jesus didn’t leave a material inheritance to His disciples. All He had when He died was a robe, which went to the Roman soldiers; His mother, whom He turned over to His brother John; His body, which He gave to Joseph of Arimathea; and His Spirit, which returned to His Father.

“But Jesus willed His followers something more valuable than gold, more enduring than vast landholdings and more to be desired than palaces of marble—He willed us His peace.”

Perhaps you, too, are facing unknowns

If so, remember this promise made by the Prince of Peace:

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27 NLT).

Peace in the face of uncertainty is indeed a precious gift. We can’t earn it and we don’t deserve it, but Jesus gives it to us anyway, and He makes it available not only during the Christmas season but year-round. The peace He offers calms our fears and soothes our souls. It equips us with courage and enables us to sleep at night even though circumstances fall apart around us.

Peace of mind and heart–an indescribable gift! Jesus offers it to us. Let’s accept it with gratitude and let it change our lives.