SAR SHALOM: PRINCE OF PEACE
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders.
And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
A child is born—manger, star, shepherds, wise men—the nativity scene in the church pageant. Tiny Baby with huge responsibilities. Let’s explore just one of His titles: Prince of Peace or in the Hebrew, Sar Shalom. We all know what a prince is, but what is the complete meaning of shalom? Shalom is translated peace but is not necessarily the absence of strife. It is peace in the sense of being whole, being well, even in the middle of unsettling circumstances. It is being immovable, unshakable when the world seems to be collapsing around you. Psalm 62:6, “He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved.” When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, it was not to bring peace to the nations, although when He returns all men will be at peace (Micah 4:3). He did not even promise immediate peace between individuals because, as we know, the price of becoming a Christian is often the loss of even family relationships (Matthew 10:33-35). What Jesus accomplished in the incarnation and His time on earth as the God-Man was to announce the Kingdom of God and purchase our redemption on the cross. The price He paid enables us to live at peace with God and to have His peace within us. Jesus promised to leave His peace with those who believe, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The apostle Paul described this shalom in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Because we are at peace with God and have His unshakable peace in our hearts, we can make the effort to be at peace with others (Romans 12:18), thereby exhibiting this fruit of the Spirit.
Even though we are certain of our peace with God because of the price Jesus paid to offer us the gift of freedom from God’s wrath, we sometimes struggle with maintaining the peace of God in our daily lives. How can we rest in the peace that the Prince of Peace provides? Challenge yourself to memorize key verses dealing with our peace of mind such as Philippians 4:6-7, John 14:27, and 1 Peter 5:7. A great verse to memorize from the old testament:
Isaiah 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Shift your focus to and memorize the following list:
Philippians 4:8 (NLT) And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Jesus, Prince of Peace, thank You for filling our hearts with Your peace even when circumstances tempt us to panic and doubt that peace. Help us to focus on Your promises concerning peace of mind.