The Candle of Peace

What is peace? Peace is defined in a variety of ways. One way to define peace is the absence of civil unrest or violence. It can also be the freedom from quarrel, whether related to another individual or with God. Diving into ourselves, peace can convey the idea of inner serenity, freedom from anxiety and other distresses. Or, remaining focused on ourselves, we see that peace can also refer to outward circumstances. We are free from physical problems, sicknesses, etc. Peace can also refer to stillness, like the precious moments in the morning before your children wake up bringing a cacophony of noises.

"peace, n.". OED Online. December 2019. Oxford University Press. https://www.oed.com/viewdictionaryentry/Entry/139215;jsessionid=D0C45597022C0B45E8F037AC0A2E2E29 (accessed December 11, 2019).

The word peace, as it is use in Scripture, encapsulates all of these definitions, and brings them forth to a God-honoring and human-enhancing level. Biblical peace “comes as a result of alignment with God’s creative and redemptive purposes.”

What comes into your mind when you hear the

Lookadoo, Jonathon. “Peace.” Edited by Douglas Mangum, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, and Rebekah Hurst. Lexham Theological Wordbook. Lexham Bible Reference Series. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014.

comes as a result of alignment with God’s creative and redemptive purposes.

In a world that cries out for peace, in a nation desiring peace, and in the individual pursuing outer and inner peace, Christ is the answer. The Candle of Peace anticipates the Prince of Peace, and as we will see this morning, the Prince of Peace was foretold many years ago, arrived about two thousand years ago, and will return to bring true, wonderful, God-glorifying peace to the universe.

I. THE PROPHECY OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE-

Isaiah 9:6–7 NASB95

For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace, On the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness From then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will accomplish this.

In one of the most familiar passages of Scripture, we are given a glimpse at the Prince of Peace. In just two verses, we learn a great deal about the Prince of Peace. Each one provides a unique connection to true, biblical peace.

A. He would be human like us

One of the most amazing aspects of this Prince of Peace is that He would be human like us. Why does this matter? Isn’t it easier to relate to someone when you have experienced the same problem they are enduring? Scripture reminds us in that Jesus was tempted in every way like we are. He knows what it is like to struggle against sin. He was tempted to give into anxiety and wallow in utter despair. Yet, He did all this without sinning. This Prince of Peace would be human like us.

B. He would be divine as God

If this Prince of Peace was merely a human, then the peace He offered would be weak, void of any potential actuality. It would be a mere wish, a good sentiment but otherwise nonrealistic. This Prince of Peace, as Isaiah prophesied, is not only human, He is God. Isaiah calls Him “Mighty God.” This Prince of Peace is the Mighty God. Though we do not have the time to address this topic in full detail, but God is Trinity. I have included some additional information in your sermon notes, with accompanying Scripture references. Please look at those sometime today. But since the Prince of Peace is God, He has the ability to change those outward circumstances preventing peace as well as the inner issues hindering peace.

C. He would reign unchallenged

The Prince of Peace, establishing His rule would go unchallenged. There would be no to prevent His rule and the increase of His kingdom or the accompanying peace. While there are outward enemies that have no hopes of defeating (a nation’s army, for example), and while there are inner enemies that never seem to tire or end their combat against our souls (depression and anxiety), the Prince of Peace would reign unchallenged. All enemies and prevent-ors of peace will bow before Him in humiliating submission. Notice a fourth aspect of this Prince of Peace.

D. He would rule eternally

When a good king or ruler comes around, everyone rejoices. There is stability in the nation, economic growth and financial flourishing, and a sense of national pride. However, no matter how long their rule lasts, eventually they are voted out (or ousted), or if they serve life-long terms, they will die. Their rule ends. The Prince of Peace, however, does not know death. His reign will never end, thus He procures His kingdom for ever. None are powerful enough to challenge Him, and none can outlast His unending life. The Prince of Peace will bring peace forever.

E. He would regulate justice

One definition of peace is the freedom from anxiety and fear. When individuals (or nations, as the case may sometimes be) experience injustices, they are fraught with a lack of peace. The Prince of Peace will regulate justice. There will be no more unfair wars or trades or anything else. Justice will reign.

These prophecies concerning the Prince of Peace are, in and of themselves, sufficient to provide peace. Knowing that one day all will be well, that peace will reign in the land, inspires hope and provides peace. But then the prophecies are realized, and we note next...

II. THE ARRIVAL OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE-

Luke 2:25–32 NASB95

And there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, You are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation, Which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples, A Light of revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel.”

Simeon, a righteous and devout man, had received special revelation from God that he would not die before the Messiah came. Though we picture him as an elderly man, there is no way of knowing.

Up to this point in Luke’s Gospel narrative, amazing miracles have occured. From the birth of John the Baptist to the birth of Jesus, from angels speaking to shepherds to angels addressing Mary, there is no shortage of action. As Luke continues his account of the life of Jesus, he draws out the fulfilment of .

While there is much we could focus on, I want to zero in on one phrase. Simeon says in verse 29, “Now Lord, you are releasing Your bond-servant to depart in peace, according to Your word.” Simeon had seen the salvation of God in Jesus, and now he could depart in peace. Just as the Lord promised the Prince of Peace’s advent, so too, God’s promise that Simeon would see Him had been revealed. The Prince of Peace had come, and now Simeon could depart in peace.

The arrival of the Prince of Peace allows us to face the difficulties of life in a unique way. Rather then seeing them as hinderances to our happiness, we see them transformed by God’s gloriously good purpose of making us like His Son, the Prince of Peace. Trials, though often difficult to bear, are changed into opportunities to grow in grace. And this gives us peace during the difficulties we face in life. But the Prince of Peace is coming again. In His first Advent, Jesus came to offer peace between God and men, what Paul calls the ministry of reconciliation in .

III. THE RETURN OF THE PRINCE OF PEACE-

Just as we celebrate the Candle of Peace each year, remembering the birth of Jesus and the peace He brings, so too, we look to the time when He will return. He will come and we will forever be with the Lord.

This, my brothers and sisters, is peace. Being present with the triune God will be a joy and peace beyond anything you and I could imagine. Does this not produce an immovable peace? Though difficulties assail us, there is coming a day in which peace will reign in our hearts. Though enemies torment us, there is coming a day in which peace will ruin their wicked plans. And though sin causes separation from our loving Father, there is coming a day when all sin will be removed and we will enjoy perfect, eternal, and intimate fellowship with God.