In a similar manner in which Jesus was a portrait of love and joy, He is a portrait of peace. His peace was much greater than what His disciples knew. The peace that they had was more transient and temporary. The peace that Jesus portrayed was lasting and persevered throughout every kind of circumstance. When Jesus was preparing His disciples for His death and departure to the Father, He gave them a special gift of peace. In John 14:27Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” This peace was of such pure quality that it was able to banish fear and dread and calm the heart in all kinds of circumstances.
The Portrait of Christ’s Peace
When Jesus’ birth was prophesied, Isaiah was given four names that He would be called.
Isaiah 9:6 NIV 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.
Jesus Christ did more than demonstrate or give peace.
His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.
The name “Prince of Peace” refers to His royalty, position and control.
The Prince of Peace (שַׂר sar שָׁלוֹם shâlôwm) is the One who will at last bring peace to this troubled world. We all have a personal concept of what peace really entails. The Hebrew word for peace, (שָׁלֹום — shalom] gives a broader understanding of peace. The word “Peace” means welfare, prosperity, to be safe, safety, completeness, soundness, health, prosperity, tranquility, contentment, friendship, covenant relationships with God, and peace from war. The peace that Christ gives is broad, deep, and lasting. It refers to everything that we have to contend with, life and death, health and prosperity, relationships with God and man, the end of war and strife.
Jesus the Messiah is the Prince of Peace.
Throughout His life, but especially in the three years of His ministry, Jesus was the portrait of peace.
Take a look at the portrait of Christ’s peace.
Jesus lived and remained in constant peace.
From the time of His birth until His ascension back to the Father, the world Jesus lived in was full of all kinds of turmoil, war, sickness and spiritual upheaval. Those spiritual and physical circumstances did not degrade or destroy His peace. His peace transcended the circumstances and events of life. He lived in peace in the midst of trials, afflictions, turmoil, persecutions, and physical unrest. While the world around Him was reeling and rocking with political, social, and personal turmoil and unrest, Jesus remained in peace.
Watch how the Prince of Peace faced these challenging circumstances of His life. Immediately after the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in the form of a dove, Jesus was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. When the enemy tested and tried Him, He retained His peace. Matthew 4 tells that the Lord fasted for forty days and when He became hungry, the tempter came. We cannot find the word peace in the temptation story of Matthew 4. However, we can see the impact of Christ’s peace by the way He faced the temptation.
Remember the definition of peace.
Jesus was in perfect peace with the Father. Satan attempted to destroy Christ Jesus’ relationship and peace with the Father. He was trying to take the welfare, safety, soundness, and inner tranquility from Him.
Instead of losing it, Jesus remained in peace.
He remained calm and had a sense of personal wellbeing, even though His body was weak from fasting, and His spirit was attacked by Satan. After healing the centurion’s son, Peter’s mother-in-law, teaching His disciples many parables and ministering to the multitudes, Jesus got into a boat.
Mark 4:35-41 NKJV On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
The Prince of Peace was in the boat.
The Prince of Peace did not understand why they lost their faith when the storms came. He expected them to have a faith, peace, trust and reliance on God that storms of life cannot destroy. This was the point that Jesus was making to His disciples. He rebuked them over their lack of faith. Jesus knew that they could have the same peace that He possessed if they had the same faith that He had. Their faith was not fully developed, so their peace was easily destroyed by the storm.
When facing His impending crucifixion, Jesus spoke of peace to His disciples.
John 14:27 NIV 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.
Jesus was giving His disciple the final words of encouragement before He was going to go away.
He knew what it meant for Him to be going to a place they could not go. He knew the full impact and consequences of facing the cross. He was facing death, suffering, and Satan, the ruler of this dark world. None of these things had a foothold in the life of Jesus or authority over Him. Jesus was facing the cross as a superior warrior faces an inferior opponent. He knew that He would suffer, and die, but He also knew that He was coming out of the grave with victory. This was all part of the battle and the victory. The conquering King of Glory was about to go to battle and come out with victory over sin, death and Satan. The Peace that passes understanding was the normal, consistent quality of life that Jesus lived. His peace was never diminished, faded, or failed. His peace remained constant. The circumstances and situations of life did not change His peace.
Take a close look at the portrait of Christ’s peace.
Ephesians 2:14 NIV “For He Himself is our peace”
Jesus told His disciples that His peace was not like the world’s peace.
His peace was established in all that is truly good, glorious and powerful. His peace reconciles with God. His peace is reconciliation with one another. His peace is in our own bosoms. His peace never passes away. This is back of the boat peace for us in the midst of the storm. This is peace that endures suffering, and transcends trial and test. This is the peace that the Prince of Peace gives.
What instigates or arouses that kind of peace in Jesus Christ?
We must go back to the definition of peace to answer this. Peace is the total lack of disturbance. It is harmony with God. It is more than a sense of welfare and safety, it is the state or condition of assurance that everything is going to work out right. Peace is the profound assurance of safety. Peace is complete soundness. Peace is absolute contentment. Peace is living in covenant relationship with God.
Jesus had absolute faith and trust in the Father and He knew what kind of fellowship He possessed with the Father.
He remained in constant, unfettered, unabated love. He knew the heart and mind of the Father. He knew the fullness and abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. Nothing in heaven was hidden or secret. Nothing was kept back. He was dwelling in perfect peace with the holiness of God. He was dwelling in perfect unity with the mind of the Spirit. The will and power that controlled all eternity was fully working in His behalf and for His good. The Prince of Peace was in perfect peace.
John 14:27 NIV 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.
