Prince of Peace

His name will be called . . . Prince of Peace.
–Isaiah 9:6

Isaiah 9:6 says Jesus would be called “Prince of Peace.” The word “peace” means freedom from chaos. When Jesus came, He offered peace. But it is not a peace enjoyed by everyone. Some people think Jesus’s coming means there is peace on earth with everybody. But the Bible says the only way you can experience peace with yourself, peace with others, and peace in the world is by being at peace with God. That’s why Christ came: to reconcile us to God.

Let’s look at what the Bible says about the peace Christ came to offer each one of us:

• “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14).
• “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
• “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).

Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

At Christmastime, we give gifts to one another, but Christ came to give us the gift we need most: the gift of a right standing before God. The Bible says we’re all going to die one day. We’re all going to stand before God in judgment, and the only hope we have of surviving the judgment of a holy, perfect God is to be clothed not in our righteousness, but in the righteousness Jesus has. God offers to give us that gift if we trust in Christ as our Savior. What a shame it would be for you to go through another Christmas without receiving God’s gift of righteousness. The Bible says, “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12). Have you come to that place where you realize you can’t save yourself, and you need God to save you? Today, you can receive that greatest gift of all, the gift we all need–the gift of forgiveness.

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Today’s devotion is excerpted from “His Name Is Jesus” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2011.

“Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” lyrics by Charles Wesley, 1739.

Scripture quotations are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.