Jesus is often referred to as the Prince of Peace. The title "Prince of Peace" comes from a prophecy in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, where the prophet says: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6).
This prophecy foretold the coming of a Messiah who would bring peace to the world. Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by teaching and embodying the principles of peace, forgiveness, and love. Through his death and resurrection, he also made it possible for humans to have peace with God and experience inner peace through a relationship with him. This is why Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid" (John 14:27).
We believe we obtain peace when strife is eliminated and storms are stilled. But that is the world's definition of peace, and it can never give us that because the world is never at peace. At best, it offers occasional truces that don't last for more than a few weeks, if even that. On the other hand, the peace that Jesus provides can be obtained even in the middle of strife and storms because he is with us. The trick is remembering to focus on him.
A few years ago, I was on a mission in the Caribbean. When sailing from one island to the next, we were hit by bad weather. Most of the passengers were by the side of the boat, heaving their lunches overboard. I might have joined them had I not discovered an antidote! There was a huge rock in the distance, and I realized that if I kept my eyes fixed on it, I didn't feel quite so nauseous with all the rocking and rolling.
Life is like riding a boat. Sometimes it is smooth sailing; often, it is not. We can get pretty sick when it starts to spin us around. However, if we can keep our eyes fixed on another rock—the Rock of Salvation—we can get through the storms in relative calm. And this "Rock" is, of course, Jesus, not Dwayne Johnson. We witnessed this truth live when Peter walked on water in the middle of a storm. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he was fine. "But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" (Matthew 14:30).
Having received peace, like everything else we have received from God, whether it is mercy, forgiveness, or love, we are duty-bound to extend it to others. And when we extend peace, we will be blessed for it for Jesus said: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God" (Matthew 5:9).
So, let us choose to become children of God by choosing peace today: both receiving it from Christ and extending it to others, enabling it if possible. God bless you.
