Jesus: Prince of Peace By Richard Lineberry

Jesus: Prince of Peace
By Richard Lineberry

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Jesus, John 14:27

Peace might mean different things to different people: a sleeping infant, absence of war, etc. To the original hearers, it meant shalom, i.e., peace, salvation and well being. Peace from God doesn’t just concern the outside world, but has everything to do with the heart.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, wasn’t over reactive to outer circumstances. He wasn’t anxious at the sight of 50,000 hungry people before Him. He slept though a storm. His trials didn’t intimidate Him for the secret of His peace was His relationship with the heavenly Father.

There are two kinds of peace. There is “peace with God” which comes when one receives the new spiritual rebirth. When our sins are forgiven, the hostility between us and God vanishes. Then we know Him as our loving, caring Father who wants the best for us.

Then there is the “peace of God.” This is the result of spiritual growth and embracing of Christ’s rule over our minds. Finding rest for our souls is the result of “taking His yoke upon us” (Matt. 11:28-29). Prov. 16:7 tells us that “when a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies be at peace with him.” God drives back the powers of unrest and disturbance when our minds are stayed upon Him.

Peace of heart and mind are byproducts of learning obedience to God and His Word. Anxieties and fears as well as many illnesses are the result of undisciplined lives that dwell only on the fears this world continually set before us.

My prayer for you today is that God will give you peace in everything that you are carrying. As we worship and experience His Spirit, simply let Him be the object of your affection. Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you. Let His peace rule your heart.