Pulpit Today

In Isaiah 9, the prophet foresaw the Messiah as the
“Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of
Peace.”  The first three titles suggest He
would be infinite in counsel, omnipotent in strength, and eternal in provision.  But Isaiah’s fourth designation, “Prince of
Peace,” seems inadequate to describe Christ. Why not call Him Sovereign
of Peace or King of Peace?  To liken the
Messiah to a prince seems less than He deserves.  According to its definition, a prince
exercises authority over a restricted and circumscribed territory.  Why would Isaiah call Christ the “Prince of
Peace”?  Is he suggesting that Christ’s
authority is limited?  No!  The answer concerns how far-reaching our need
for peace is.  If there is anything the
world, with all its ill and evil, needs it is peace.  Each year people spend billions of
dollars on pharmaceuticals in an effort to find relief from physical and
emotional pain.  Nations make “Peace
Pacts,” which are soon broken.  Scientists
encourage harmony with Earth’s ecosystem. 
Astronomers note that the constellations are troubled. Not one dimension
of the universe exists without the need for peace.  It’s needed spiritually, physically,
emotionally, relationally, and politically.

When we ponder the boundless scope in which peace is
needed, we discover that Isaiah endowed Christ with no dim or depreciated title—“Prince of Peace.”  In fact, the very next verse Isaiah writes announces
that “of the increase of His government and of His reign of peace there shall
be no end.”  Isaiah declares that Christ’s
kingdom will expand throughout the universe eternally!  As the universe expands, Christ’s princely
rule of peace will stake its claim and eliminate chaos and pain.  Instead of being circumscribed, the realm
which this mighty Prince governs will literally overwhelm the cosmos.  Join with Isaiah in calling Him “the Wonderful
Counselor, the Mighty God, and the Everlasting Father.”  But proclaim, too, He is “the Prince of Peace”!