Prince of Peace - Isaiah 9:6 - Part 4 (page 2)
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Shalom, can be used as a greeting. It would be like asking, “How is it going?” Notice this in 2 Kings 4:26, “Please run now to meet her, and say to her, 'Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?' And she answered, 'It is well.'” The “Is it well?” is the word “shalom.” The prophet Elisha wanted to know if all was well with the women. So the greeting “Shalom?” could be responded to in the affirmative, “Shalom!” if there were no problems.
Shalom carries the idea of safety, harmony, wellness, prosperity, health, and completeness. At the pinnacle, shalom describes the state of fulfillment as a result of God’s presence. The God of peace. The condition of shalom is something I think all people hunger for. In our war torn, violently ravaged world, peace is longed for. It is however, in our present time, illusive. Man cannot broker this kind of peace. God has, on behalf of men, appointed one to be “Sar-Shalom”, Prince of Peace. This man is the one who will bring fulfillment, completeness, harmony, and safety to the whole earth. At that time he will be called the “Prince of Peace.”
Now, even in this present world with so many prideful and wicked people, we can still have peace. Here is how the Apostle Paul describes it in Ephesians Chapter 2:
“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace” (Verses 13-15).
Because of what Jesus has done, we can be at peace with God and each other. Whatever that “middle wall of separation” may have been between you and others, it has been broken down. This is especially true of believers. Race is no barrier, family feuds are no barrier, disagreements, or grudges cannot keep us from being in harmony with those who confess the Lordship of Jesus. He is our Prince of Peace.
Looking further in Ephesians Chapter 2, Paul says:
“and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near” (Verses 16-17).
Reconciliation and peace go together. How can we say we are reconciled to God when we are not reconciled with our brothers and sisters? Indeed we are called to make peace, as much as it is within our power to do so. “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18).
The establishment of peace between God and men was made by our “Sar-shalom.” This peace and reconciliation we can enjoy now is because of God’s presence among us. Whatever it is that’s keeping you from being reconciled with another can be overcome. Go, with God being present, and confess that wall of separation as having no more influence in your life. The peace we have now between us is a reflection of what is to come.
Worldwide peace is not yet realized. Because of this Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). There is a great conflict between the kingdom of God and this present world. It is a conflict of ideologies and until our Prince of Peace returns there will continue to be conflict.
Now, however, those who belong to Jesus have his promise,
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).
When Jesus returns all his enemies will be eradicated. Peace will reign! Until then we can be reconciled to each other and God by faith in what our “Sar-shalom” has done. If you are not at peace with someone, seek it now whether with God or people. That will show where your loyalty is.
Conclusion
We can rightly call Jesus of Nazareth "Wonderful Counselor" because he is wonderful and the word of God was in him. He is our "Mighty Champion" by winning a great victory for us and calling us to follow. The “tribe” he has founded is perpetual, rightly giving him the title "Everlasting Father." We know Jesus as the "Prince of Peace" as we live in peace with God and each other.
Let’s all look forward to the day when we can praise him in this many faceted title. Let’s show our anticipation by living in what he’s given us now, as a preview of that glorious day. Amen.
Reprinted with permission from Wisdom and Power - Nov/Dec 2007
Editor Chuck Jones Pastor of Church of the Open Bible, Pomona, CA
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