What Does it Mean that Jesus Is the Prince of Peace? (Isaiah 9:6)

Jesus Christ is the only reason we can truly live peacefully with God. Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace because He restores every broken relationship, provides a well-ordered and balanced life, and offers the assurance of eternal life.

Christianity.com Contributing Writer
Updated May 20, 2024
What Does it Mean that Jesus Is the Prince of Peace? (Isaiah 9:6)

The coming of the Messiah has been predicted by the prophet Isaiah around 700 BC. His prophecies recorded in the Bible referring to Jesus are quoted worldwide, especially during Christmas every year: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

There was declared the various roles of Jesus: a child, a son, a government, a counselor, God, father, and a prince. Despite being mentioned, at last, this attribute is not the least – in fact, it is of great significance: Prince of Peace. Without peace, the continuity of life would not be possible. That is why the Son of God, King of kings has come into the world He created.

What Does it Mean that Jesus Is the Prince of Peace?

The title "Prince of Peace" ascribed to Jesus comes from the prophecy in Isaiah 9:6, which declares, "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This title holds profound significance. Jesus is the source of inner peace, providing peace with God, forgiveness of sins, and a sense of spiritual well-being and reconciliation. His teachings emphasize love, forgiveness, and reconciliation, promoting peace in our relationships with others. 

The Sermon on the Mount, for example, highlights the importance of peacemaking and living harmoniously. Ultimately, Jesus will bring peace to the entire world. At His Second Coming, He will establish a kingdom of peace and justice on earth. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus ended the hostility between humanity and God caused by sin. Believers are reconciled to God through Him, which is the foundation for true peace. Calling Jesus the "Prince of Peace" reflects the belief that He is the divine source of all peace—spiritual, relational, and eschatological.

3 Blessings from the Prince of Peace

Jesus Christ is the only reason we can truly live peacefully with God. The right relationship with God is the foundation of living in harmony with all His creation. In Jesus, our fears in death are removed and replaced with the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). Moreover, the Son of God has become the Prince of Peace so that we, the children of God, may become the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9, Isaiah 57:19). With the peace of God reigning over our lives, we will see heaven on earth as we are expectantly waiting for the second coming of the Prince of Peace.

Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace because He alone is able to accomplish these three things:

1. The Prince of Peace Restores Broken Relationship

Since the fall of man, sin was “transmitted” to humanity and entered the world with death as a result (Romans 5:12).

The rebellious nature in every man caused him to be the enemy of God, his neighbors, and himself. Because of sin, man wanted a self-centered life independent from his Creator, which could lead to a permanent separation from Him.

God knew from the beginning that no amount of good works could save man from the bondage of sin and its eternal consequence. For this reason, the Word became flesh and came to the earth to lovingly reach out His people and offer Himself for the price of our salvation. Jesus Christ, the perfect lamb of God, has done the impossible work on our behalf through His death on the cross, so that we may have peace with God and others (Ephesians 2:14-18) and with ourselves (Romans 8:1). Jesus Christ has become a mediator (1 Timothy 2:5, Romans 5:1) and an intercessor (Hebrews 7:25) to God, that all who believe in Him may continue to live in His peace.

Scriptures

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because all sinned (Romans 5:12, NKJV).

Christ is the reason we are now at peace. He made us Jews and you who are not Jews one people. We were separated by a wall of hate that stood between us, but Christ broke down that wall. By giving his own body, Christ ended the law with its many commands and rules. His purpose was to make the two groups become one in him. By doing this he would make peace. Through the cross, Christ ended the hate between the two groups. And after they became one body, he wanted to bring them both back to God. He did this with his death on the cross. Christ came and brought the message of peace to you non-Jews who were far away from God. And he brought that message of peace to those who were near to God. Yes, through Christ we all have the right to come to the Father in one Spirit (Ephesians 2:14-18, ERV).

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1, NKJV).

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5, KJV).

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them (Hebrews 7:25, ESV).

2. The Prince of Peace Provides a Well-Ordered and Balanced Life 

The peace of Jesus Christ is a key to have harmony in life, enabling us to live with a grateful heart (Colossians 3:15). Jesus addresses not only our spiritual needs but also our emotional and physical concerns. He knows that we need a work-life balance. In fact, Jesus commanded us to work (John 9:4) and rest (Matthew 11:28) in Him – a lifestyle that will bring us true fulfillment.

As we have been reconciled with God, we are to dedicate our lives to serve for His kingdom, not for our own pleasures. The work of the Holy Spirit produces truth, peace, and joy in us as the kingdom of God becomes our focus and priority (Romans 14:17). God’s peace also unites His people for building up the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 14:33, Ephesians 4:1-3).

Knowing that Jesus Christ is our prince of peace, we can entrust our lives to Him. We can surrender our burdens (anxieties, doubts, fears, and restlessness) to Jesus that we may experience His perfect peace in our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6-7).

Scriptures

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15, ESV).

We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work (John 9:4, NLT).

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest’"(Matthew 11:28, NLT).

For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17, NLT).

For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints (1 Corinthians 14:33, NKJV).

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3).

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

3. The Prince of Peace Assure Our Eternal Destiny

Beyond the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, every human needs (an assurance of) salvation. Because life on earth is perishable, our greatest need is not of the earthly things. Ultimately, we all need an eternal life – a life with the Creator, free from evil, sin, and death.

No man in history has had the courage to promise eternal life. But here is the good news: in Jesus Christ, we have that very promise because He is the author of life who has himself experienced victory over death (Acts 3:15). Jesus is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20), therefore He is able to give us the true peace that nobody else can offer (John 14:27). In His perfect peace, we may continue to experience the love of God that casts away our fears. 

Scriptures

You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this (Acts 3:15).

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life (1 John 5:20, ESV).

“I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27, NLT).

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23, NKJV).

"I will teach them a new word: peace. I will give peace to those who are near and to those who are far away. I will heal them." The Lord himself said this (Isaiah 57:19, ERV).

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matthew 5:9, KJV). 

A Prayer to Our Prince of Peace

Dear Lord Jesus, our Prince of Peace,

We come before You with hearts open and longing for more of you in our lives. You are the source of all peace, the one who calms the storms and quiets our souls. In a world filled with turmoil and uncertainty, we seek Your perfect peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lord, grant us inner peace. Help us to lay down our burdens and anxieties at Your feet, trusting in Your infinite wisdom and love. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may experience the serenity that comes from being in Your presence.

Teach us, Lord, to be instruments of Your peace in our daily lives. May we show love, compassion, and forgiveness to those around us, just as You have shown us. Guide our words and actions so that we may reflect Your grace and mercy in every encounter.

We pray for peace in our relationships, families, and communities. Where there is division, bring reconciliation. Where there is conflict, bring resolution. May Your peace rule in our hearts and homes, uniting us in Your love.

Lord, we also lift up our world to You. In places of war, violence, and injustice, may Your kingdom come and Your will be done. Use us as Your hands and feet to bring comfort, aid, and hope to those in need.

As we await Your glorious return, when You will establish Your eternal kingdom of peace, give us the strength and courage to persevere. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on You, our Prince of Peace, and to walk in Your ways all the days of our lives.

In Your precious name, we pray, Amen.

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