Scripture Reading — Isaiah 9:2-7; John 16:33
He will be called . . . Prince of Peace.
— Isaiah 9:6
Here Jesus is named “Prince of Peace.” What is peace?
Two artists, the story goes, are asked to paint pictures depicting peace.
One artist paints a tranquil scene—a calm lake surrounded by rolling green hills and with towering trees mirrored in the water. The blue sky is still— and, well, peaceful.
The other painter brushes onto the canvas a rocky ravine, with dark, ominous, jutting-out rocks. Over the top of the rockface rushes a powerful waterfall, splashing and roaring. Spray and mist everywhere!
Yet on one of the crags, near the bottom of the gorge, stands a slender young tree. And there, on a tenuous branch overhanging the water, glistening with the spray from the waterfall, rests a bird’s nest. And in that nest a small bird is sleeping.
This second illustration is a picture of Christ’s peace!
Jesus makes clear that peace in this world is not the absence of trouble. It is not mainly about tranquil, relaxing scenes. Jesus’ peace means that even while the waters foam and surge about us, even amid storms of anxiety and struggle, we have a rock! A firm place to nest.
In this world we will have trouble, Jesus said. But take courage, and be at rest. Jesus has overcome the world!
Thank you, Jesus, for giving us your peace, which is not like the world’s. In you we can find rest and refuge even amid the dangers, storms, and troubles of life. Amen.
Written by: Lora Copley