What is Peace?

The second week of Advent is often focused on peace. We love the idea of peace during the Christmas season and have a near obsession with Hallmark movies displaying our perfect idea of peace: sitting near a warm, cackling fire beside a beautifully decorated tree, sipping apple cider and wrapped in a cozy blanket watching the snow gently fall outside. This is the peace for which we yearn and strive.

But this is only an illusion of peace. Real peace is much more complicated.

PICTURE PERFECT

A story is told of a king who commissioned several artists to paint a picture of peace. Multiple entries depicted scenes of meadows, sunsets, flowers, and calm water-all in an attempt to visually describe peace. One artist stood out however. Unlike the others, he had painted a dark, stormy night with waves crashing on to ragged cliffs and lightning filling the night sky. On the side of the cliff grew a scraggly cedar tree, and hidden within its branches was a bird’s nest where a small sparrow sat sleeping.

This artist won the prize because he understood what the others had failed to see: peace is not relative to your circumstances; rather, peace is finding rest in your soul no matter what storm is raging around you.

We all live in complex circumstances. Maybe death or illness surrounds you. Maybe it’s financial pressures, relationship chaos, job loss, or a wayward child. It is possible to have peace in the middle of these difficult circumstances, but you have to know where to look for it.

PRINCE OF PEACE

In Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah prophesies the coming of the Messiah who will be called “the Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.” In Acts 5:31, we read that “God exalted him [Jesus] to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.”

I’ve often wondered why Jesus is called the “Prince of Peace” rather than the “King of Peace.” It seems to me that a prince has a lowlier position, but the title is fitting when you consider what Jesus’ mission on earth entailed. He was to represent His Father, the Almighty King, in all He said and did. He left his throne in heaven to be fulfill an earthy mission on behalf of His father – a fitting role for a prince.

PEACE WITH GOD

To be the Prince of Peace implies that Jesus has jurisdiction over peace – He rules over it. Imagine you and I live in the land of chaos and darkness (not that difficult to imagine) while God resides in the land of peace. We are not able to enter His territory because our status as sinners keeps us bound to darkness. But Jesus, being God’s sacrifice, died on the cross, giving us access to God. Through Christ, we are able to enter a land that was previously unaccessible to us – a place of peace with God. We are no longer at war with our Creator because of the gift of salvation.

The world is still dark and chaotic, but through Jesus, the Prince of peace, we can live in unity with God. As long as His Spirit dwells within us, we are able to have a peace that passes understanding and lasts for all ages. This is the peace our souls long for. This is the peace no Hallmark movie can capture. This Advent season, I pray you will find peace with God through His son, the Prince of Peace, Jesus, and may His peace rule in your heart no matter the circumstances you face this Christmas season.

“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