Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Isaiah 9:6-7a For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end.
HE SHALL BE CALLED: PRINCE OF PEACE
Think for a moment of all of the strife and fighting that existed throughout the history of Israel. They were constantly at war. The Egyptians, Philistines, Moabites, Ammorites, Syrians, and Assyrians all afflicted the people of Israel before the time of Isaiah. Yet to come would be the Babylonians and Romans. Isaiah reveals that this child would be completely different from everything the people of Israel were familiar with. His name will be called Prince of Peace.
Many thought that the Messiah would come to be an earthly king and bring physical or political peace. But the peace that our Savior brings can only be understood in a spiritual sense. As long as sin is present in this world, complete peace cannot exist. Even with believers, there are things that come between us and cause strife and conflict. Jesus Himself said, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword" (Matt. 10:34). Earthly peace is not what this child would be about. His reign would be about the spiritual welfare of souls, and their eternal salvation.
When Adam and Eve fell into sin, we humans became the enemies of God. A wall was built up separating God and man, and with our sins we only made that wall higher. But Jesus was the Prince of Peace who came and through His death has torn down the wall of sin. He has brought peace between man and God.
To us a Child of hope is born, to us a Son is given,
And on His shoulder ever rests all power in earth and heaven.
His name shall be the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Lord,
The Wonderful, the Counselor, the God by all adored.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 106:4-5)
