The Real Meaning of Peace

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. (Isa. 9:6 NIV)

When was the last time you heard of Prince Charles personally annexing Scotland  into England? Or Prince William deciding on his own when the borders of Great Britain open up? And Prince George? Well, he’s just busy being cute.

Most princes in our experience don’t wield the kind of power Isaiah implies. They’re heads of state, representing the king or queen, but power often belongs to a parliament or other governing body.

So we don’t get the full idea of “Prince of Peace” unless we delve a bit into the culture of Isaiah. For those ancient writers, a prince was much more like a chieftain or a military captain. They ruled absolutely in their realm. Isaiah isn’t talking about a figurehead who nods approvingly at the idea of peace but can’t enforce it. He’s referencing a clan chief who makes—and keeps—the rules.

Sometimes, I suspect we prefer the figurehead. When we say we want peace, often what we really desire is comfort. Calm. An inner lack of stress. We’re more interested in the results of a good yoga session than in having the Captain of Peace interrupt our lives.

I think this comes from a fundamental misunderstanding of what peace is. Shalom—God’s word for peace—has little to do with personal calm. Basically, the word means wholeness. It echoes the original time of creation, when order reigned. Have you ever heard a perfectly harmonized a cappella song? That’s how peace feels.

Biblical peace means a return to that kind of perfect order—a full-circle completion that returns creation to the way we were always meant to be.

For that return to happen, reconciliation—a key word in the peace process—needs front and center attention. We can’t return to God’s order of wholeness unless brokenness is repaired. Peace in Scripture usually refers to a pursuit of well-being for one another—in other words, repaired relationships and systems.

God reconciled to humans. Humans reconciled to one another. Humans reconciled to creation. It’s all mixed up together in this beautiful process of becoming shalom—becoming whole.

This kind of peace was Jesus’ mission when he entered the world. He came as the Prince of Peace who would initiate God’s kingdom of reconciliation and wholeness. Angels at his birth announced peace to those who longed for restored relationships, first with God, then with everything else. He provided both the promise and the means on that nativity evening.

Like birth, though, peace can be messy and hard before it becomes fruitful. Wholeness rarely happens quickly or easily. Entropy is a real force. So is the evil that would keep us seeking our own welfare and suspecting everyone else. We desperately need a Prince of Peace because, left on our own, we trend toward chaos and fear. Only the true Captain can pull those spinning, careening pieces together.

Peacemakers actively work for the welfare of others so that peace is a state of being for everyone.

Like Rosa Parks refusing to stand on the bus, sometimes peace requires a lot of disquiet before wholeness can happen. Like water bearers at the border, it’s usually sacrificial and even dangerous. Like Rachael Denhollander tirelessly seeking justice for of abused women, peace can be exhausting and lonely.

Jesus knew and lived all these experiences. His mother heard shortly after his birth that a sword would pierce her heart. She, too, knew that peace would come at a price.

When we look at the wondrously perfect order of creation, how can we not choose to work for that kind of harmony? Can you imagine the feeling produced by the most perfect music piece you’ve ever heard emanating through creation around us? When that happens, individuals are at peace, too. Personal peace isn’t the goal, but it’s a nice byproduct. God tends to work that way.

If we want a Prince of Peace, we have to accept his sovereignty everywhere. We can’t have personal, comfortable peace and not think about the reconciling peace that makes other people whole and gives other people justice. The Prince of Peace brings peace to the entire territory, not just our own personal corner. He’s a chieftain, not a figurehead.

Our Prince of Peace, give us courage as we celebrate this Christmastime to see those around us as you see them. Make us reconcilers. Empower us to bring peace, not covet it. Amen.

Scripture for Reflection

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” (Luke 2:14 NIV)

“The Lord bless you

and keep you;

the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn his face toward you

and give you peace.” (Num. 6:24-6 NIV)

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matt. 5:9 NIV)

Reach for More

Is there a place in your life where you want calm but God seems to want to share things up a bit? What would God’s genuine peace look like for you in that area? Write down three specific actions you can take to pursue wholeness and reconciliation in one specific area of your life.

Jill Richardson is a writer, speaker, pastor, mom of three, and author of five books. She likes to travel, grow flowers, read Tolkien, and research her next project. She believes in Jesus, grace, restoration, kindness, justice, and dark chocolate. Her passion is partnering with the next generation of faith. Jill blogs at jillmrichardson.com.

Photograph © Ian Reve, used with permission