Born the prince of peace in a world of chaos

Some kids grow up with a lot of pressure. Parents may want them to continue the family business or go to law school or become a doctor. Jesus grew up with many expectations; some thought for certain that He would establish His kingdom on earth during that time. Others knew from the words of the prophet Isaiah that He was the Messiah, the Mighty God, Emanuel, the Prince of Peace. He came quietly without glamour or fame, born in a manger to deliver a world of its iniquity.Of all the titles Christ was given, Prince of Peace is one many cling to. We want peace. We want personal peace, we want world peace, we want peace among our leaders and sometimes we wonder when will the Prince of Peace fulfill that claim.Well, according to David Clemens, pastor of visitation at Berean Community Church, the Prince of Peace has made His own personal peace available to us, but as far as peace on earth… well, that’s a different concept.“My understanding is that at the birth of Christ, the peace on earth he brought was speaking to individuals,” Clemens explained. “There will never be total peace on earth until actually Christ returns and rules.”The book of Revelation doesn’t paint a very peaceful picture. There are many wars and tragedies that will lead up to the ultimate return of Christ. Clemens said that when Christ returns to fight the battle of Armageddon he will not do so in a peaceful manner.“We hear a lot of talk about the peace of Jesus,” he said. “If you recall in the New Testament, however, when Jesus cleansed the temple he was not passive or peaceful. He actually made a whip and overturned the tables to display his anger. This is the character trait we see in Christ in Revelation when he returns to rule with a rod of iron.”Clemens is certain that after the end of time, peace will eventually be fulfilled on every level, but in the meantime he reminds us that we always have access to Christ and can receive Him as Savior and have more of His peace in our lives and among our community.“The more you have of Christ, the more peace you will have in your heart,” Clemens said. “He is peace and He gives His peace.”Jesus demands a peaceful attitude from His followers. Clemens believes there are many things we can do to initiate peace in any situation.“It takes two people to argue,” he said. “If one person refuses to argue, the other person cannot argue by his or her self. In the Sermon on the Mount Christ taught them as to how His followers should behave. He said turn the other cheek and to go the second mile.”The concept of peace is in the news all the time. There are countries seeking nuclear capabilities, countries planning attacks, wars, conflicts, embargoes and sanctions. The most volatile place on earth, without a doubt, is the mideastern region. The Middle East will never have peace in Clemen’s view, but he believes Israel will prevail in the end.“I am not sure when or how, but I believe the Jews may go through another time of cleansing as they have in the past, but they will most definitely prevail,” he said. “Despite the attacks or advances of other countries in that region, I do not think the Jews will be driven out. God has blessed them and promised them certain land over there. He made a covenant with them from Abraham and He will always honor that covenant.”At Christmastime especially, we want to harbor sentiments of ‘peace on earth and goodwill to men’ and we can individually do this and make a small difference in our families and communities. However, if we are truly desiring to see full peace on earth throughout the universe, then we must be patient and trust in the real Prince of Peace and wait for Him to bring His Kingdom. Only then will genuine peace be ushered into our world. Still, nothing paints a more peaceful picture than a small babe in a manger full of hay, on a dark Bethlehem night, as a heavenly host of angels fill the skies with joy and yes… peace.