Jesus Christ: The Prince of Peace and God

By Dr. Maxwell Shimba, Shimba Theological Institute

Introduction

In a world fractured by wars, hatred, and division, humanity continues to search for a peace that transcends politics, culture, and fleeting circumstances. The Bible reveals that this peace is not found in treaties, weapons, or human ingenuity, but in the person of Jesus Christ, the eternal Prince of Peace and God incarnate. The prophet Isaiah foretold His divine identity, declaring: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6, ESV). This article examines the theological foundation of Jesus as both God and the bringer of ultimate peace, exploring the biblical, historical, and spiritual dimensions of His mission.

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Jesus as the Prince of Peace

Peace in the biblical sense is not merely the absence of conflict; it is shalom—a wholeness, completeness, and reconciliation with God and one another. Jesus Himself declared: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you” (John 14:27). This peace is not fragile but eternal, grounded in His divine authority as the Son of God.

Paul emphasizes in Ephesians 2:14–16 that Christ “is our peace,” breaking down the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles, reconciling both to God through the cross. Thus, Jesus is not only the messenger of peace but the very embodiment of peace. Without Him, peace is temporary and superficial; with Him, peace is eternal and redemptive.

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Jesus as God: The Foundation of True Peace

The identity of Jesus as God is central to His title as the Prince of Peace. Peace that comes from a mere man would be temporary, but peace that originates from God Himself is eternal. The apostle John affirms His divinity: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Later, John proclaims, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14), affirming that God Himself entered human history in the person of Jesus Christ.

Furthermore, Hebrews 1:3 declares: “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.” Only God can sustain creation, forgive sins, and establish eternal peace. The peace of Jesus is thus inseparable from His divine nature.

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Tools for Building Peace

The pursuit of peace is not passive but requires divine tools given to believers through Christ:

1. A Kind Heart – Kindness flows from the Spirit of Christ dwelling within. Paul exhorts, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). A kind heart reflects the character of the Prince of Peace.

2. Sturdy Hands – True peacebuilding demands action. James reminds us that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17). Hands strengthened by faith build bridges where walls once stood.

3. Faith as a Measure – Hebrews 12:14 commands us to “pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Faith measures the steps toward peace, enabling believers to trust Christ in reconciliation and forgiveness.

Through these tools, Christians become agents of peace, ambassadors of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20), carrying His divine presence into broken communities, families, and nations.

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Jesus as Exactly What the World Needs

Our world is weary from conflict—political, ethnic, racial, and spiritual. Human systems promise peace but cannot deliver it. Jesus alone provides reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1) and among men. He is not only a moral teacher but the eternal God who took on flesh to bring redemption. Without Him, peace is an illusion; with Him, peace becomes reality.

Jesus is exactly what the world needs today: the God who forgives, the Prince who reigns in peace, and the Savior who unites humanity in love. The call is urgent: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

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Conclusion

Jesus Christ stands as the only true source of peace because He is both Prince of Peace and God. His peace is holistic, reconciling humanity to God and to one another. Through kindness, strong action, and faith, believers are equipped to extend His peace into every sphere of life. In a time when the world is desperate for lasting peace, the message of Hebrews 12:14 resounds: without holiness and the peace that Christ brings, no one will see the Lord.

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References

• The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV).

• Augustine of Hippo. The City of God. Trans. Henry Bettenson. London: Penguin Classics, 2003.

• Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics, Vol. IV/1: The Doctrine of Reconciliation. Edinburgh: T&T Clark, 1956.

• Calvin, John. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Edited by John T. McNeill. Translated by Ford Lewis Battles. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1960.

• Wright, N. T. Simply Jesus: A New Vision of Who He Was, What He Did, and Why He Matters. New York: HarperOne, 2011.

• Moltmann, Jürgen. Theology of Hope. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993.

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✍️ By Dr. Maxwell Shimba
Shimba Theological Institute

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