Tag: Prince of Peace

The Prince of Peace

In this passage, we see more prophecies of Jesus, some of which were fulfilled in his first coming, while others are yet to come.

It says in verse 9,

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!

See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. (Zechariah 9:9)

This was fulfilled, of course, when Jesus came into Jerusalem shortly before he was crucified.

Why a donkey, and not a horse? Basically, in those days, a king rode horses during times of war, while they would ride donkeys in times of peace.

Jesus came into Jerusalem not as a conquering king, but as the Prince of Peace.

And when Jesus comes again, he will come in defense of his people, and bring war to a final end.

In verse 10, it says,

I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken.

He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. (Zechariah 9:10)

To those who are held captive and in despair, he will bring freedom and hope. Why?

Because of the blood of my covenant with you. (Zechariah 9:11)

This is probably pointing back to the covenant made under Moses, which is all the Jews in Zechariah’s time knew.

But it’s worth pointing out that the sacrifices under the old covenant were shadows of the new covenant made in Christ’s blood.

And it is through Christ’s blood that all of us who were held captive in Satan’s kingdom were set free and given hope.

And so God says of his people Israel, but also of us,

The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.

How attractive and beautiful they will be! Grain will make the young men thrive, and new wine the young women. (Zechariah 9:16–17)

Tags Bible Original, Bible verse, Prince of Peace, salvation

Micah

The one who brings peace

Peace. What would you pay to have peace in your life?

That’s what the Israelites must have been thinking when Micah was writing. I suspect that many Jews feel the same way even today.

Micah here prophesies the fall of Jerusalem, and a time when the ruler of Judah would be struck and taken down.

But then Micah says that would not be the end of Israel. Rather, another ruler would arise from Bethlehem,

One who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. (Micah 5:2)

This, of course, is a prophecy of Jesus, one that the priests and teachers of the law pointed to when Herod asked where the Messiah would come from (Matthew 2:6).

And Micah says of Jesus,

He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. (Micah 5:4–5)

How these words must have brought comfort to those who heard them. To be in trouble, in turmoil for years, and to have hope that one was coming who would bring them peace.

The ironic thing is that Jesus did come. But instead of embracing the one who could bring them the peace they longed for, they rejected and crucified him.

Even today, things have not changed. I’m not just talking about the Jews. I’m talking about all of us.

How often do we struggle with fear and hurt in our lives? How often do we long for peace of mind in our lives?

And yet, we refuse to turn to the one who can give us peace. We refuse to let him take the throne of our lives and submit to him.

One day, Jesus will come again, and at that time, he will reign and all will live securely. All will have peace.

But if we’ll only let him take the throne of our hearts, we can have peace now despite the circumstances in our lives that we go through. We can find security for our souls despite all the hurt around us.

Just as Jesus wept for Jerusalem 2000 years ago, he weeps for many of us today, saying as he did then,

How often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing. (Luke 13:34)

What was the result for Jerusalem?

Look, your house is left to you desolate. (Luke 13:35)

The result is the same today. Utter desolation for those who turn their backs on Jesus. A life without hope and peace.

How about you? Is your life feeling desolate? Meaningless? Hopeless? Without peace?

The answer for your life hasn’t changed in 2000 years. It’s found only in Jesus. And he longs to take you into his arms and give you the peace, hope, and meaning in life that we all desire.

All you have to do is surrender your life to him. Will you do that today?

Tags Bible Original, Bible verse, peace, Prince of Peace

Isaiah

Come that day

In some ways, it’s been a depressing past couple of months. Finances have been a bit of a struggle, and I’ll have to admit that it’s hard not to think about.

But as I look at this passage, I see hope. It says,

Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.

In the past, he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the Gentiles, by way of the sea, along the Jordan — The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the shadow of death a light has dawned.

You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as men rejoice when dividing the plunder.

For as in the days of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. (Isaiah 9:1-4)

This passage, of course, is pointing to Jesus.

It’s amazing to me that the Pharisees and the teachers of the law missed this when saying, “Look into it, and you will find that the Prophet does not come out of Galilee (John 7:52).

That this passage is talking about Messiah cannot be denied, however, as it continues,

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. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Every Christmas, we hear this in messages and in song. But it is a message that the world needs to hear more than once a year.

So many are walking in gloom and distress. Whether it’s relationship problems, financial problems, health problems, or whatever it may be.

I was reading that in Japan, the suicide rate is among the highest among industrialized nations.

But as Jesus brought light and hope to a dying nation in Israel, so he brings hope to people today. He brings joy to those who are in despair. And he breaks the yokes that would burden us and weigh us down.

He’s the Wonderful Counselor who shows us how to live in the midst of a broken world. Who shows us how our broken lives can be restored.

He is the Mighty God who has the power to help us in our distress.

He is the Everlasting Father, the one who knew us before time began, and who cares infinitely about us.

And he is the Prince of Peace, giving rest to those who are burdened by anxiety and fear. And as he came 2000 years ago, he will come again.

Come that day, he will return and make right all that is wrong in the world.

Injustice will be a thing of the past. So will death, sorrow, and mourning.

But until then, he has given us of his Spirit to dwell in us, to comfort us, and to guide us.

He has not left us alone as orphans. He is with us each and every day.

And when we’re weighed down by our worries and our troubles, he will be our light in the darkness. All we have to do is to turn to him. And he tells us now,

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)