Names of Christ: Who Do You Say That I Am?

For all the boots of the tramping warriors
 and all the garments rolled in blood
 shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child has been born for us,
 a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
 and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
 Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His authority shall grow continually,
 and there shall be endless peace
for the throne of David and his kingdom.
 He will establish and uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
 from this time onward and forevermore.

Isaiah 9:5-7

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:9

Whenever I read this Isaiah passage, I immediately think of Advent and Christmas. It is often paired with readings from the Gospels as we think about the coming of Christ into our world. As we think about Christ being the Prince of Peace, what comes to mind for you?

For me, I reflect on what sort of peace God is ushering in with Jesus. We want to think that it is political harmony, lack of violence, and an end to all suffering. However, I think the type of peace that Jesus presides over is different. I believe it is more of a spiritual harmony in regards to our relationship with God. Through Jesus’s sacrifice we have been made right with God and have the opportunity to be at peace with our Creator. We can have a peace in our hearts that cannot be taken away despite the tribulations we face.

Once we are at peace with God, we are called as followers of Christ to bring about the peace that we often think of when we hear that word. As reconciled disciples, we are called to bring peace into this word by actively working to effect change, to break cycles of violence, to speak out against injustice, to share God’s love with all we encounter, to care for the less fortunate, to work for the end of war and suffering…you get it. The list goes on and on. Throughout scripture, we hear that we are called to be peacemakers. It is because of Christ’s action to make peace between us and our Creator that we are able to fulfill that work. We are never promised that peace-making is easy, but it is our call. May we seek ways today to be peacemakers in our community and beyond.

Prayer

Prince of Peace, thank You for the gift of peace and restoring our relationship with our Creator. Strengthen us to answer the difficult call to be Your peacemakers in this world. Empower us to bring about change and show Your love, just as You did in Your ministry here on earth. Amen.