Peace and the Cross

What comes to mind when you think about peace, peacemaking, or world peace?

In Jesus’ day, the Romans thought of peace in what historians call Pax Romana (Roman Peace). Roman Peace was rooted in the sword and crucifixion, and there is even a famous saying about this peace, “They make a desert and call it peace” (Tacitus; Roman historian [56 AD - 117 AD]).

One of the great ironies and truths of history is that peace comes through the violence and death of Jesus on the Roman cross. In Acts 10, the Apostle Peter preached this message of peace to a Roman centurion named Cornelius, “The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)” (Acts 10:34-38).

As a centurion, Cornelius was an agent of Pax Romana; he was part of the Roman system which said that Caesar is Lord, and Caesar brings peace. As Peter preached the Gospel to Cornelius and his household, he made clear that Jesus is Lord and Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Cornelius believed the good news about peace and was baptized.

Is Islam a Religion of Peace

Following the acts of terrorism on September 11, 2001 there has been much discussion about whether Islam is a religion of peace. It is of the utmost importance to understand that Christianity defines peace, first and foremost, as a work of God and not as a work of man.

When one speaks with Muslims one will notice that when they refer to “Muhammad,” they follow his name with the phrase, “Peace be upon him.” Or in correspondence they will sometimes save effort by abbreviating, “PBUH.” This should serve as a reminder that Islam does not offer the kind of peace that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, offers. Jesus can forgive sins and assure salvation, but Muhammad cannot.

Muhammad could offer no assurance of salvation (16:93, 95; 17:13) as he had none himself: "…[N]or know I what will be done with me or with you" (46:9); "By Allah, though I am the apostle of Allah, yet I do not know what Allah will do to me" (Bukhari, Hadith 5.58:266; cf. 7.70:577; 8.75:374–88; 8.76:470). Muslims do not even see Muhammad as saved. Whenever they mention his name, they are to plead, "Allah, pray for him and give him peace" (Qur'an 33:56). Although many Muslims are ignorant of it, Muhammad admitted his sins (40:55; 47:19; 48:1f; 94:1–3; Bukhari, Hadith 6.60:3; 7.70:577; 8.75:374, 378–82, 386, 388; 9.93:482) and his powerlessness to save others (Bukhari, Hadith 4.51:16). (Boyet Olave, “Only One Way to Heaven? Is Jesus Christ the Only Means to Reach God?”)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace


Jesus is the Prince of Peace because He brings relational reconciliation with God for those who believe in Him.

Romans 5:6-10
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Jesus is the Prince of Peace because He forgives sins and heals infirmities which are a result of sin.

Matthew 9:2-7
Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins....” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” And the man got up and went home.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace because He has crushed the head of Satan.

Many of Jesus’ miracles established His authority over Satan and demons. Muhammad trembled in fear of demons (see The Hadith of Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 1, Number 3), but the demons trembled before Jesus.

Matthew 12:22-29
Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.” Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? And if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.”

Jesus is the Prince of Peace because He has conquered our great enemy, death.

This is evidenced by His own resurrection and His raising others from the dead (John 11; 1 Cor. 15:26; Rev. 21:4; cf. Isa. 25:8). Jesus is bringing peace to the entire creation. This was spoken about through the prophet Isaiah:

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. (Isaiah 11)

Jesus is the Prince of Peace which is why I urge you to repent of your sins by turning to Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. Be warned that when Jesus returns it will be to make war with those who have not submitted to His terms of peace. Now is the time of salvation. Now is the time to believe, like Cornelius, the good news and be baptized.

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