ix. 6. _The Prince of Peace._
How peaceful was the scene when the first Sabbath shone upon this
world! How reversed was the scene when sin entered to revolutionise
it! Think of the widespread and woful war which sin has entailed on
this world, and see the need of such a Prince as our text reveals to
restore the primitive peace. See, too, the magnitude of the work to
which the Redeemer stands appointed when He is presented in the
character of a pacificator who is to bring this strife to a happy
conclusion for man.
I. THE QUALIFICATIONS OF CHRIST FOR ACTING AS "THE PRINCE OF PEACE."
We find these, 1. In His original personal excellence as the only
begotten of the Father. 2. In His Father's ordination of Him to the
office. 3. In the meritoriousness of the work He accomplished as the
substitute for sinners. 4. In the station to which He has been
exalted, and the executive power which has been lodged in His hands.
First of all, He has been appointed Intercessor, to plead the cause
of His people on the foundation of the work He has done for them;
and, secondly, He has been anointed a King with all the influence and
energy of the Almighty Spirit placed at His disposal to carry into
execution all the favourable purposes of the Divine government on
behalf of those whose cause He has won by His intercession. 5. In the
fervency with which His heart is dedicated to the attainment of His
object.
II. THE PRINCIPAL ARTICLES OF THAT PEACE OF WHICH CHRIST IS, OR SHALL
YET BE, THE MINISTERING PRINCE TO ALL WHO BELIEVE ON HIM. 1. He hath
effected reconciliation between God and man. 2. In Christ we cease to
war against ourselves. 3. Our Prince hath reconciled us to the
angels. 4. Reconciliation is effected between Jew and Gentile (Eph.
ii. 14-16). 5. The general reconciliation of man to man, the
destruction of selfishness, and the diffusion of benevolence Christ
came by His dying for all, to teach that all were as brethren, and
ought to regard one another with fraternal affection. How much the
world required this lesson! How imperfectly it has been learned
(H. E. I., 884).--_William Anderson, L.L.D.; Christian World Pulpit,_
vol. x. pp. 392-394.
+I. The character of Christ:+ "the Prince of Peace." How wonderful
and glorious is this character when viewed in connection with this
title! Infinite wisdom and almighty power employed not for purposes
of war, but of peace! (Isa. lv. 8, 9). 1. He procures peace. 2. He
proclaims peace. 3. He imparts peace. 4. He maintains peace. 5. He
perfects peace. +II. The character of His religion.+ It is a religion
of peace. True, at its first introduction, it leads to conflicts
(Matt. x. 34); but in the end it secures a permanent peace (Jas.
iii. 17). It will give peace, but only on its terms. +III. Character
of the followers of Christ.+ They are the sons of peace. 1. They seek
peace with God through the mediation of Christ. 2. They exemplify a
spirit like His own, and thus help to heal the wounds of a bleeding
world. 3. They extend through the world the gospel of peace. 4. They
anticipate in heaven the reign of unbroken peace.--_Samuel Thodey._