The Names and Titles of Jesus

Prince of Peace  s 24/10

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 Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

So what are we to make of this tile Prince of Peace? Throughout his encounters we in the Gospels we find that Jesus gave a new substance to that beloved word of greeting Shalom. This Hebrew for peace, means fullness, a completeness having everything you need and to be wholly and happily yourself.

Jesus speaks of peace in three different ways. In the form of the traditional greeting - peace be with you; as an integral element of his kingdom that is possessed by those he blesses, the peace makers and in redefining peace as the peace that he brings that is so different from that which the world gives. 

Jesus also speaks from the depths of his heart to his dearest friends as he is faces his Passion. He wants his friends to know that he is with them, his father is with them. Jesus’ farewell wish is ‘Peace!’ His gift of peace is not a state, but a relationship. It is the fruit of deeply abiding in him. This relationship will never fail. It will enable the disciples to endure suffering and rejection.

The peace that Jesus gives is available to me; I have to do nothing to receive it. But maybe that’s the problem – I want to do something to earn what Jesus offers as a free gift. Lord, help me to do nothing in this time of prayer but to be ready to receive what you offer.

There is a certain peace and joy that comes from knowing and loving God directly, that nothing else can give. Once we know God as source of being, we love all of creation as expressions of this love and goodness. Creation, including all our beloved, are not rivals for God’s love but expressions of God’s love.

If you love someone you would want the greatest good of all for them, which is that they would know the peace that surpasses all understanding - a peace the world cannot give on its own - a peace that comes only from knowing and loving God and God’s presence in creation.

Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Son of Righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings

Ris'n with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark! The herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!"

Charles Wesley