What Kind of Peace Is This? Understanding the True Meaning of Peace that the Prince of Peace Brought
The second Sunday of Advent is here, and with it comes the anticipation of Christmas—the celebration of Jesus’ arrival. Advent, meaning “arrival,” is a season to reflect on the hope, peace, love, and joy brought into the world through Jesus. These themes are familiar to many, yet they often feel distant in a world filled with strife, anxiety, and conflict.
The prophets foretold that the Messiah’s coming would bring peace. Isaiah declared He would be called “Prince of Peace,” a title brimming with promise. But, centuries later, we may ask: Where is this peace Jesus brought?
The World Jesus Entered
To grasp the significance of the peace Jesus offers, we must first understand the world He entered. Luke gives us a snapshot of this world in his Gospel, grounding the ministry of John the Baptist in a specific historical moment:
“It was now the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius, the Roman emperor. Pontius Pilate was governor over Judea; Herod Antipas was ruler over Galilee; his brother Philip was ruler over Iturea and Traconitis; Lysanias was ruler over Abilene.” — Luke 3:1 (NLT)
This is more than a historical footnote. It’s a portrait of a world in turmoil. Tiberius ruled with an iron grip, maintaining the Roman Empire’s dominance through military power and political suppression. Pontius Pilate’s governorship was marked by cruelty and insensitivity, which caused a great deal of unrest among the Jewish population. Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, was infamous for his moral failings and political manipulation. In short, it was a world governed by fear, division, and unrest.
This was not a world of peace. It was a world teetering on the edge of chaos, where the powerful ruled through intimidation and the marginalized lived in constant uncertainty. Into this world, Jesus—the Prince of Peace—was born.
A Different Kind of Peace
When we think of peace, we often imagine tranquility: the absence of conflict, a life free of strife or anxiety. Yet the peace Jesus brings goes far deeper. In the Hebrew tradition, the word for peace is shalom, and it encompasses not just the absence of conflict but the presence of something far richer—wholeness, harmony, and completeness.
The biblical concept of peace begins in Genesis 1:1, where God brings order out of chaos. The Hebrew phrase tohu vavohu—formless and void—describes the disordered state of the universe before creation. God’s creation was an act of peace, as He brought structure, balance, and purpose to the cosmos. Peace is not merely the absence of strife but the condition that exists when all things work in harmony, according to God's design.
Rabbi Isaac Arama, a 15th-century Jewish commentator, expanded on this idea, describing shalom as the integration of diversity within creation. He wrote that peace occurs when the complexities of the world—its physical laws, ethical principles, and human relationships—move together in harmony. Jesus brings this kind of peace: not the removal of all difficulties but the assurance that God is orchestrating the chaos of life into a symphony of purpose.
Peace in the Midst of Turmoil
The historical context of Jesus’ birth underscores this truth. Jesus did not come to a world that was already at peace. He came to bring peace into a broken world. His peace does not eliminate conflict but transforms it, offering an internal assurance that transcends external circumstances.
The Prince of Peace brings calm to the storm not by removing the storm but by being present in it. Just as God brought order to the chaos of creation, Jesus brings order to the chaos of our lives, weaving every difficulty and trial into His ultimate plan for good.
The Kingdom of Peace
The prophets also declared that the Messiah’s peace would extend beyond individual hearts to encompass the entire world. Isaiah 9:7 proclaims: “His government and its peace will never end.” This promise points to the future fulfillment of God’s kingdom, where peace will reign eternally.
Yet, even as we await this ultimate peace, we live in the reality of His kingdom now. The peace of Jesus is both a present gift and a future promise. A peace empowers us to trust God’s plan, even when life feels chaotic.
Celebrating Peace Today
As we light the Advent candle of peace, we are reminded that the peace Jesus offers is not a fleeting feeling or a temporary reprieve. It is a profound assurance that God is at work, bringing harmony to the complexities of our lives and the world.
If you are facing turmoil, take heart. The Prince of Peace has come, and His kingdom is unshakable. His peace is not dependent on the absence of trouble but on the presence of His love and sovereignty. It is a peace that assures us that all things—no matter how chaotic—are being woven into His plan for good.
This Advent, celebrate the arrival of the Prince of Peace with us. He transforms chaos into order, conflict into harmony, and fear into trust.
