Devotional: He Shall Be Called- Prince of Peace
Reflection: What Kind of Peace Did Jesus Bring?
During Christmas, it’s easy to get caught up in the imagery of serene peace: tranquil nativity scenes, silent nights under starry skies, and harmonious gatherings with family and friends. However, the peace Jesus brings surpasses these fleeting moments. It’s a peace that addresses the most fundamental conflict in our lives—the separation between God and humanity.
This separation, caused by sin, positions us as enemies of God. It’s not that God has declared us His adversaries, but through our choices, actions, and rejection of His authority, we have declared Him ours. Yet, God’s response to this enmity wasn’t condemnation; it was reconciliation. Through Jesus, God made a way to heal the broken relationship. As Paul writes in Romans 5:10, “While we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son.”
The peace Jesus offers isn’t political or national peace. He never promised to eliminate wars or end global conflicts during His time on earth. In fact, Jesus foretold the opposite: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Luke 21:10). The peace Jesus brings also isn’t a guarantee of inner tranquility or a trouble-free life. As believers, we still face storms, conflict, and moments of anguish.
Instead, the peace Jesus offers is objective and eternal—a concrete reconciliation between God and humanity. It is the peace of knowing that, despite our failures and sin, we are no longer enemies of God. This peace is complete, not partial. It isn’t earned by our efforts or sustained by our good deeds. It is a gift, given freely to those who humbly acknowledge their need for a Savior.
When we embrace this peace, we stand blameless before God—free from accusation and holy in His sight (Colossians 1:22). This truth changes everything. It frees us from the endless striving to earn God’s favor and reminds us that we are fully accepted in Christ.
Yet, this peace also challenges us. It calls us to stop relying on our own performance to feel “right” with God. It asks us to rest in the finished work of Jesus, even when we feel unworthy. And it compels us to extend grace and reconciliation to others, reflecting the peace we have received.
This Christmas, as you reflect on Jesus as the Prince of Peace, let the depth of this reconciliation sink in. Consider the areas in your life where you are still striving, still wrestling, still resisting God’s authority. What would it look like to surrender those areas to the Prince of Peace? How might embracing this peace transform not only your relationship with God but also your interactions with others?
The peace Jesus brings doesn’t always change our circumstances, but it changes us. It anchors us in the midst of life’s storms, giving us a hope that transcends understanding and a foundation that cannot be shaken. This is the peace that Christmas celebrates—a peace that begins with God and extends into every corner of our lives.
Scripture for Further Study:
Romans 5:10-11: "For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!"
Colossians 1:21-22: "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation."
Philippians 4:7: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Reflection Questions:
How does it change your understanding of peace to know that Jesus’ primary mission was to reconcile us to God?
In what ways have you experienced inner peace in the midst of external conflict or difficulty?
Are there areas in your life where you still feel at odds with God? How might fully trusting in His peace change that?
How can you share this peace with others during this Christmas season?
Prayer:
Prince of Peace, thank You for bridging the divide between us and God. I confess that I often seek peace in worldly solutions or by trying to control my circumstances. Help me to rest in the complete peace You offer—a peace that is not based on my works but on Your finished work on the cross. Reconcile my heart to Yours, and guide me in sharing Your peace with others. Amen.
Additional Resources for Study:
Hymn Reflection: Hark the Herald Angels Sing—Meditate on the phrase “God and sinners reconciled.”
Books:
Activity: Take time to journal or pray through Colossians 1:21-22, focusing on the phrase “free from accusation.”
