Partnering with the Prince of Peace

 I was exploring Isaiah 9:6-7a. Very well known words, especially at Christmas time.
For to us a child is born ….. this is his humanity – the child of Mary.
To us a son is given ….. his divinity – the Son of God
And the government will be on his shoulders ….. he will rule
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor…His unrivalled insight and wisdom
Mighty God …. His authority and power
Everlasting Father …. His eternal unity with the Father
Prince of Peace …. He rules with his peace, his shalom.
And of the increase of his government and peace, there will be no end.

(His peaceful rule will constantly expand and never come to an end.)

1. We see Jesus in the Gospels revealing all these aspects with his understanding, his wisdom, his compassion. Then his power over nature and sickness. His partnership and oneness with the Father. And then how he brings peace, to storms, to hearts, to our relationship with the Father through his sacrifice.

2. Then Jesus began to look for those who would partner in his rule of peace. He did not intend to do it all alone.
3. He called disciples – but they didn’t do this partnership thing very well.

a) When a village rejected Jesus, James and John said ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to destroy them!’ They did not understand his rule of peace and love.

b) Jesus and the disciples are on the Lake in a storm. Their boat is in danger of being swamped. The disciples were terrified. But they did not wake him up and simply ask for help – they accused him of neglect. “Don’t you care if we drown!” Fear makes room for 'the accuser' in our hearts.

c) Peter became ‘a stumbling block’ to Jesus because of his fear of Jesus being killed. Peter has just declared that Jesus is the Christ, then after Jesus warns them of his coming suffering, he dogmatically says to Jesus "This will never happen to you!"  Fear leads to dogmatic declarations.

d) Martha had The Prince of peace there in her home – but she was in distress and anger. She omitted to consult him.

4. In a debate about eating meat given to idols Paul wrote (Rom.14 v.17) “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Whatever confuses or disturbs us could be inserted in that statement. "The Kingdom of God is not a matter of ......................... but righteousness (with God through Christ), peace (with God, and the peace OF God) and joy in the Holy Spirit."

Col. 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.”

A major sign of the Kingdom is peace … When we walk with the Prince of Peace - peace of mind, peace in our relationships will be our normal state.

5. Jesus constantly said ‘Fear not – do not be afraid.’ Fear is the greatest enemy to walking with the Prince of Peace. We go into fear because we do not feel safe.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives” - ie not depending on circumstances and temporary solutions.

If what is outside of us determines our state of mind and heart – then we are in a perilous condition. We will never feel really safe, never be regularly at peace.

What would change for us if we kept asking – “Lord, give me your peace – because I don’t have mine?”