CHICAGO, IL (December 17, 2003) – Covenant Communications has posted a number of Advent devotionals in recent days. This one is from pastor Gary Downing of Rochester Covenant Church in Minnesota.
Here’s a pop quiz for you: Why is Jesus referred to in the biblical birth narratives as only the “Prince of Peace” and not the “King of Peace?”
I was studying to try and figure out if there were some deep, ancient theological reasons for this title. When I asked my staff they replied, “Oh that’s easy. It’s because his dad was the King and Jesus was only a baby then . . .” What do you think is the answer?
Sometimes I try to read too much into a question and miss the obvious. I think their (the staff’s) straightforward responses were correct. The ancients didn’t have the problem of understanding a relationship of essence between a father and a son, or a king and his prince, like I do. For them, “I and my father are one” equaled full participation and the same nature between the two, not defined and divided by what I would consider different roles. This is part of the paradox of the Incarnation (the “enfleshing” of God in Jesus of Nazareth) . . . Father and Son, King and Prince. Advent can help bring that into focus.
What does this tell us about peace? A prince born is the fulfillment of hope. Jesus as the “Prince of Peace” demonstrated that a long foretold promise had come true. The heir to the throne carried the same authority as the one who sat on the throne. God’s peace had begun, even if it was not fully experienced, through the birth of Christ – the Messiah.
The Hebrew scriptural promise (Micah 5:5), “He will be their peace,” was realized in Jesus. Therefore, we can claim (via Ephesians 2:14) that “He Himself is our peace.” What does that mean? Peace is not to be found merely in the absence of war, or in exciting events, plenty of things or positive circumstances. It is to be found in a relationship with a person – Jesus – the baby born in Bethlehem. Peace is an interior sense of being content, satisfied, at rest and whole. We find true peace by being connected to our Lord Jesus. This is a truth our world has yet to understand.
We live in the middle of a war in Iraq, a war on terror, wars on drugs, on poverty, on racism, on sexism, on ageism, on sexuality . . . and the list goes on. We live in a fragmented world divided by faith. The battle lines are drawn and redrawn and the wars go on. Where can such a world find peace?
That is part of the crucial message we have to bring at Christmas. Jesus is our peace! We can find our rest and serenity, our real peace in Him. As we experience this preparation time of Advent, remember that most of the world does not know Jesus – and it does not know the peace that only He can give. Does your family? Your friends? Your work or school associates? The people whose paths you cross every week?
Christmas is a good time to say a good word for peace – to be peacemakers – by introducing the Prince of Peace to people whose lives are distracted, discontent and despairing that they could ever experience true peace. That makes us evangelists – folks who can announce GOOD NEWS to a war-torn and fragmented world.
As the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good tidings to great joy, which shall be to all people . . .” May you experience the peace of Christmas, even in the middle of the sometimes frantic schedules and unavoidable holiday obligations.
To read devotionals posted earlier, visit the following:
- First Step Toward Peace on Earth
- The Return of the King
- He Will Stand By You
- Candles Remind Us of Christ’s Light
- Keeping Our Hearts Focused on God
- The Pre-Christmas Present
- Waiting God’s Way
- Prepare to Meet Your God
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.