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Prince of Peace

“For unto us a child is born, a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders and he will be called . . . the Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

The prophet Isaiah spoke of a coming prince, One whose name itself exudes peace. We know Him by the name Jesus. We utilize this part of His persona when we have fears and misgivings about our lives. We seek Him after receiving disheartening news.

As children of God, we are ambassadors of His peace. In this 21Century world, we have innumerable times to share the peace of Jesus with those who are hurting.

As I originally worked on this for a blog entry, our phone rang. It was 7:30 A. M. My caller ID screen told me it was a call from church. The office doesn’t open until 8:00. It was a recorded message; one of our members had passed away. She had been diagnosed 25 days earlier. She was in Worship service the three Sundays since she came out of the hospital. Her memorial service was two days later, on Thursday. She was a well-loved lady.

During times of loss, we yearn for peace for those bereaved family members. We call out to Jesus and ask Him to comfort the family and those who knew the departed.

People in our nation and in our world desire peace. Jesus told his disciples,”’ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not be troubled and do not be afraid.’”

Jesus is our peace for whatever problem or condition we face. He came to earth to help us learn of the Father and how we can live closer to Him.

As ambassadors for Jesus, let’s each one choose to speak words of peace to those around us, at the grocery, the hair salon, the insurance office, wherever we hear Jesus telling us to speak words of peace—His peace.

Alpha and Omega

“’I am the Alpha and Omega,’ says the Lord, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” Revelation 1:8 (NIV)

Alpha and omega are the first and the last letters if the Greek alphabet. As a title, ‘the Alpha and Omega’ presents Jesus as over history, from the beginning to its end.’”1What does this mean and how can we apply this to our lives? Do we have scripture to help us understand this thought? Yes, we do.

In Psalm 139, David reminds us that God saw us even as we were being made. (: 13-16) He even ordered our days for us.

Between Jesus’ resurrection and his ascension into heaven, He commissioned the eleven disciples. He concluded the commissioning with these words, “And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b) These are Jesus Christ’s own words.

Sarah Young, in Jesus Calling, states it this way, (Jesus is speaking.) “Ponder the awesome mystery of a love that encompasses you from beyond birth to beyond the grave.”2

Jesus is present when we are formed. He told the disciples He would be with them always. We who follow Jesus and live for Him are also His disciples. Therefore, He is with us even to the end when time is no more; He will dwell with us in heaven.

The words spoken by the Lord God in John’s vision do not surprise anyone who intimately knows Jesus, the second person of the trinity. These words reassure the reader of Jesus’ presence in all times in life.

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1. The discovery Bible, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Mich. © 2004. P.1664

2. Jesus Calling, Thomas Nelson, Nashville, Tennessee©2004. P.352 (December 1)

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