JESUS - THE SON OF MAN



Jesus’ favorite title for Himself was “the Son of Man”. This title appears eighty times in the New Testament, usually with reference to Jesus. It means, “the son of mankind”.

Why did Jesus prefer this title above all others? What was Jesus saying about Himself when He adopted the title “the Son of Man”? In this article, we will examine the sayings of Jesus and His followers in an effort to see why Jesus used this title.

Jesus Was Fully Human

Matthew traces the ancestry of Jesus back to Abraham through Joseph, the legal father of Jesus (Matthew 1:1-16). Luke traces it back to Adam through Mary, Jesus’ birth mother (Luke 3:23-38). Luke’s genealogy reveals that Mary was a descendant of Judah and David. Jesus’ ancestors were real people.

Who can give us the lineage of Santa Claus? Legendary figures do not have authentic genealogies. Jesus of Nazareth was, according to the flesh, a descendant of David.

Jesus’ Human Birth

Matthew writes, “This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18).

When Joseph learned that Mary was pregnant, he decided to divorce her quietly. But the angel of God appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:20-21).

Jesus was conceived, not by sexual union, but by the will of God. The God who created the universe and who filled the earth with living creatures used his power to create a baby boy.

Late in Mary’s pregnancy, Augustus Caesar decided to take a census throughout the Roman empire. Since Joseph and Mary were both of the family of David, they left Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem to register. “While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn” (Luke 2:6-7).

Jesus was not born in a king’s palace. He was probably born in a stable. He was wrapped in strips of cloth and placed in a manger. His first bed was a feeding box for animals.

Jesus’ Human Childhood

When He was eight days old, Jesus was circumcised (Luke 2:21). When He was forty days old, Joseph and Mary took Him to the temple for the rite of purification (Luke 2:22-24). Later, they returned to their home in Nazareth of Galilee, and there, Jesus grew up.

Luke reports that “the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him” (Luke 2:40). God filled Jesus with wisdom and gave Him a kind, gracious disposition. As a child, Jesus was extraordinary, but He was human.

When Jesus was twelve years old, His parents took Him to Jerusalem for the Feast of the Passover. At the end of the feast, they joined the caravan and headed back to Nazareth. They thought Jesus was in the company of travelers, but He had remained in Jerusalem.

His mother asked, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you” (Luke 2:48). Jesus replied, “Why were you searching for me? Didn’t you know that I had to be in my Father’s house?” (Luke 2:49). Even at a young age, Jesus referred to God as His Father.

After this, Jesus went with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them (Luke 2:51). “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2:52).

The Silent Years

There is no indication in scripture that Jesus spent His youth in India studying at the feet of Brahman and Buddhist masters. To the contrary, there is evidence that He stayed in Nazareth and became a carpenter.

When Jesus began teaching in the synagogue at Nazareth at the age of thirty, many people were amazed by his wisdom. They asked, “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? …Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son, and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” (Mark 6:2-3).

Jesus was a carpenter by profession, and His family was well-known in the community. This implies that Jesus remained in Nazareth during His youth and learned His father’s trade.

Other Signs of Jesus’ Humanity

Jesus experienced everything that we experience as human beings –except sin. He was tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). He got hungry (Matthew 4:2; Matthew 21:18; Mark 11:12), and after His resurrection, He ate some broiled fish in the presence of his apostles (Luke 24:41b-42). He got thirsty. He asked a Samaritan woman for a drink of water (John 4:7). On the cross, He said, “I thirst” (John19:28). He got tired (John 4:6). He became angry when Jewish leaders turned the house of worship into a den of thieves (Matthew 21:13). At Lazarus’ tomb, He became sad and wept (John 11:35). Jesus was fully human. But Jesus was more than a man.

Jesus Was also Divine

The title “Son of Man” also indicates that Jesus was divine. This title refers back to Daniel 7:13-14: “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory, and sovereign power; all peoples, nations, and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed”.  By using the title “Son of Man” Jesus echoed Daniel’s prediction that God would give Him authority, glory, and sovereign power over all peoples and nations; and men of every language would worship Him.

When Napoleon Bonaparte was exiled on the rock of St. Helena, he asked Count Montholon, “Can you tell me who Jesus Christ was?” When the count hesitated, Napoleon said, “Well then, I will tell you. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I myself have founded great empires; but upon what did these creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love, and to this very day, millions will die for him . . . I think I understand something of human nature; and I tell you, all these were men, and I am a man; no one else is like Him. Jesus Christ was more than a man”.

Jesus Demonstrated His Divine Authority

In Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, Jesus did not say, “I am divine”. Yet He revealed His divine identity by His words and deeds. Notice the following:

1)  In Mark 2:1-12, four men tore a hole in the roof of the house where Jesus was speaking, and they lowered their paralyzed friend down into the room hoping that Jesus would heal him. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Son, your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5).

The Jewish scholars who were sitting there thought to themselves, “Why does this fellow talk like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone” (Mark 2:7).

But Jesus said, “Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins . . . He said to the paralytic, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home’” (Mark 2:9-11). The young man got up and walked out of the room. Jesus proved His authority to forgive sins.

2)  In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly asserted His divine authority. He said, “You have heard that it was said . . . ‘Do not murder’ (Matthew 5:21) . . . ‘Do not commit adultery’ (Matthew 5:27) . . . ‘Do not break your oath’ (Matthew 5:33) . . . ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth’ (Matthew 5:38) . . . ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy’” (Matthew 5:43), etc. With the exception of the “hate your enemy” statement, these were God’s commandments, yet Jesus added His own commandments: Do not get angry. Do not look at a woman lustfully. Do not swear. Do not resist an evil person. Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you.

Six times in the original text, Jesus said, “ego de lego” (Matthew 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, and 44). “Ego” means “I”, and “lego” means “I say”. Literally translated, Jesus said, “But I, I say to you”. This double emphasis on “I” is lost in the English translation. This implies that Jesus was asserting His divine authority.

3)  One of the most amazing things Jesus said was, “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:37).  Jesus was asking for love and loyalty that exceeds our deepest affections for family. Amazingly, those who truly believe in Him experience a supernatural love for Him. This overwhelming, supernatural love is powerful evidence of His divinity.

Jesus’ Invitation

Brahma, the Hindu God of creation, is preoccupied with his own interests. Gautama Buddha invites us to seek enlightenment through meditation. Muhammad warns us to surrender to Allah or die. By contrast, Jesus says to us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Jesus, “the Son of Man” was both human and divine.

JESUS - THE GLORY OF GOD

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard” (Psalm 19:1-3).

A picture of Andromeda was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. Andromeda is a twin to our Milky Way galaxy, except it is more than twice as large, with one trillion stars. Light, traveling at 186,000 miles per second, must travel for 220,000 years to get from one side of Andromeda to the other. Yet, Andromeda is like a speck when compared to the entire universe.

How does that make you feel? No wonder David prayed, “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, or the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4).

Before you start feeling insignificant, however, remember that the vastness of the universe is not designed to make us feel small. The universe is not about us. It is about God. It reveals his glory. Few things are more awe-inspiring than looking up at the stars and planets on a dark, clear night.

“The Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him. . . Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength, ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name” (1 Chronicles 16:26b-29a).

God’s Glory Is also Seen on Earth

Who can watch the morning sun glisten on the majestic Grand Tetons above Lake Jackson without feeling a sense of awe? Or who can watch the moon rise over Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, with its mile-high granite cliffs, and not be moved by God’s glory?

The prophet Isaiah had a vision of God in the temple. Around God’s throne, angelic beings called to one another saying, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3). God is a God of glory, splendor, radiance, and honor.

Human Beings Reflect God’s Glory

The face of Moses was radiant when he came down from Mount Sinai having been in the presence of God (Exodus 34:33-35; 2 Corinthians 3:7-18).

Human beings were created to reveal God’s glory. God said to Isaiah, “Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth–everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory” (Isaiah 43:6b-7).

The apostle Paul wrote, “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).  We were made to behold God’s glory and to reflect it.

But there is a problem among human beings. The problem is that many people have ignored God. God has revealed his eternal power and divine nature in the things He has created (Romans 1:20). Yet, some people neither glorify Him as God nor give thanks to Him (Romans 1:21). Instead, they have “exchanged the glory of the immortal God” for idols of their own making (Romans 1:23).

Idolatry comes in many forms. Self-worship is idolatry. So is greed. Untold billions of people worship money and spend their entire lives trying to acquire it. Others worship fame, power and pleasure. Anything that consumes our thoughts and pulls us away from God is an idol –a false god.

When people push God out of their thoughts, they become fools (Romans 1:28). Their foolish hearts are darkened (Romans 1:21-22). They give themselves over to sinful desires and sexual impurity. Their depraved minds lead them to all kinds of anti-social behavior: wickedness, evil, greed, depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, God-hating, insolence, arrogance, boastfulness, disobedience to parents, heartlessness, and ruthlessness (Romans 1:21-32).

As a matter of fact, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). We need someone to lead us back to God and to show us His glory.

Jesus Brings Glory to God

The night Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a great company of angels appeared to shepherds in a field praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:13-14). The birth of Jesus brought glory to God.

The elderly prophet, Simeon, took baby Jesus in his arms and praised God saying, “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised. . . my eyes have seen your salvation. . . a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:29-32). This infant that Simeon held in his arms would become the “light of the world”. He would reveal God’s glory to mankind (John 8:12).

While Jesus and his apostles were across the Jordan River east of Jerusalem, they received news that Lazarus was ill. Jesus said to His apostles, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it” (John 11:4).

By the time Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had been dead four days. His corpse had been wrapped in linen and laid in a tomb, and a stone had been rolled across the entrance.  Jesus said, “Take away the stone” (John 11:39).  Martha, the sister of Lazarus, said, “But Lord, by this time, there is a bad odor” (John 11:39).  Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40).

Then Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out wrapped in his grave clothes. Jesus said, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go” (John 11:43-44).  By raising Lazarus from death, Jesus and God were glorified.

Jesus Shares the Glory of God

The apostle Paul warns that Satan, “has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). The gospel of Christ is about the glory of Jesus.

At the same time, it is about the glory of God. God has “made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6). God’s glory is seen in Jesus.

Jesus Has Had Glory from Eternity

On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus prayed, “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (John17:5).

Jesus was divine, but He emptied Himself of His divine prerogatives and became a human being. He was obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted Him. Ultimately, people, angels, and demons will all bow before Him and confess Him as Lord “to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11). Worshiping Jesus brings glory to God the Father.

Jesus and God Share Names

In Revelation 1:8, God says, “I am the Alpha and the Omega...who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty”. Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet. Omega is the last. There is no letter before Alpha, and there is no letter after Omega. No one came before God, and no one will come after Him. God is eternal.

In Isaiah 44:6, God said, “I am the first, and I am the last”. Yet, Jesus made the same claim when he said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Revelation 22:13). These words were NOT spoken by God Almighty. They were spoken by Jesus (Revelation 22:16).

How can God Almighty and Jesus Christ both be “the Alpha and the Omega?” How can they both be “the Beginning and the End?” The only logical answer is that they are ONE. They are two divine persons who constitute one God, not two.

Jesus and God also share the name, “I AM”. God told Moses, “Say to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).  God is the eternal, self-existent one. Yet Jesus also used the name “I AM” with reference to himself when he said, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was born, I AM” (John 8:58). With these words, Jesus claimed to be the eternal, self-existent One.

John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God (Greek, ton theon, meaning ‘the God’), and the Word was God (Greek, theos, meaning ‘God’)” (John 1:1-2). John makes a distinction between “the God” and “the Word”. Both are divine, and the two constitute one God, not two. John continues, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The Word (the divine Logos) came from the Father and became flesh when Jesus was born.

Again John writes, “God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side, has made him known” (John 1:18). Jesus Christ is called “God, the One and Only”. He is at the Father’s side, and He has made the Father known to us.

Paul wrote, “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [Jesus]” (Colossians 1:19). Therefore, “we wait for the blessed hope–the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). Paul calls Jesus “God and Savior”.  Peter, too, calls Jesus “our God and Savior” (2 Peter 1:1). Though distinct from the Father, Jesus is our divine Savior.

Similarly, the writer of Hebrews says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3). The scriptures about Jesus’ divinity stack up. Jesus is the glory of God. He is the divine Word who became flesh.

Conclusion

Jesus showed us how we can be sons and daughters of God who see and reflect His glory. We see God’s glory in His creation, and we see God’s glory in Jesus Christ who has shared the Father’s glory from eternity.

JESUS - THE PERFECT MAN

The character of Jesus portrayed in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John is not something human beings could have invented.

The writers of the gospels were ordinary men. They were not literary geniuses. Yet, the man they portrayed has influenced civilizations and transformed the lives of countless millions of people. There is no one else like the sinless Jesus in all human literature. How can this be explained?

Was the Biblical Jesus Invented?

It would have been virtually impossible for Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to invent the character of Jesus. Who among the followers of Jesus had the literary skills to invent the deep sayings of Jesus or to imagine His spotless life and character? Did John, the uneducated fishermen have that ability? Did Matthew, the hated tax collector? Saul of Tarsus (before he became the apostle Paul) was the enemy of Jesus. He personally declared jehad against Christians. He used terrorist tactics to round them up, put them in prison, and have them executed for not following his nation’s religion. Were ANY of Jesus’ early followers capable of inventing the profound, often difficult, sayings of Jesus? How could any ordinary man invent the greatest story ever told– one that outshines the best works of the greatest writers in human history?

The Moral and Religious Climate

It has been said that “no stream can rise above its source”. Neither can humanity transcend itself. How, then, did Jesus, the ideal man, rise up and flourish in such a flawed world? Think of the immorality in Rome, and the legalism and narrow-mindedness in Judea. No one in that generation would have conceived of such a pure, humble, unselfish, forgiving person as Jesus unless he had lived among them. Jesus rose above the highest moral and ethical standards the world had ever known. There is no parallel to Jesus in human history.

Jesus was not only pure; he also had purifying power, and he has made this purifying power available to us. Sincere followers of Jesus have, throughout the ages, experienced spiritual growth by drawing on a power beyond themselves.

Was Jesus Jewish?

Jesus was born to Jewish parents in Bethlehem of Judea. He was reared in Nazareth, a small Jewish town. He worshiped at a Jewish synagogue with his parents, and He was educated in a Jewish school. All of his closest friends and relatives were Jews, and the customers in his carpenter shop were Jews. Yet, Jesus was not a typical Jew. John the Baptist was typically Jewish. So was Saul of Tarsus who became the apostle Paul. But not Jesus. Jesus was a Jew, but He was not limited by Judaism. There is nothing in Judaism that explains the character of Jesus.

Neither is the Biblical picture of Jesus a typical Gentile portrait. None of the philosophers, literary giants, or political heroes of Greece and Rome ever came close to matching the flawless character of Jesus. Socrates and Plato, two of the greatest philosophers of all time, were immoral men. The moral standards in ancient Rome were as low as they are in Hollywood today. How, then can we account for the character of Jesus?

Jesus, Full of Grace and Truth

The apostle John followed Jesus around for three years listening to his words and observing his actions. Later, John described Jesus as a man “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Notice here that Jesus was “full of grace”. That means Jesus was kind, gentle, generous, forgiving, and loving. He was gracious in thought, attitude, disposition, word, and deed. Common people came to Him gladly, and He responded to them with compassion. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, cleansed lepers, raised the dead and gave them back to their families. He attracted little children, and He blessed them with a tender touch. A woman caught in adultery was brought to him for judgment, and He forgave her. He said, “Go and sin no more” (John 8:11, KJV). Jesus was full of grace.

Jesus was also full of “truth”. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). His words ring with truth. Unlike the rest of us, he never told a lie. When He made a promise, He kept it. Throughout His life, Jesus maintained His integrity. Truth was a part of His character.

It was the combination of grace and truth that gave Jesus strength of character. Grace, alone, can lead to weakness. Truth, alone, can lead to harshness, sternness and severity. But truth blended perfectly with grace leads to strength of character. Many human beings have one or both of these elements, but only Jesus had both in perfect balance. Jesus, a Man Without Sin. Perhaps the most amazing thing that we learn about Jesus is that He was absolutely sinless. Jesus’ enemies watched Him like a hawk trying to find something against Him. They sent their most brilliant lawyers to question Jesus hoping to entrap Him. But they failed. Instead, Jesus asked His accusers, “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin?” (John 8:46). They couldn’t. Even though Jesus was challenged by hostile religious leaders throughout His ministry, He never lost His temper. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats” (1 Peter 2:23). Even Pilate, the Roman governor, said, “I find no guilt in this man” (Luke 23:4, NASV). The Jewish high court condemned Jesus to death only after false-witnesses testified against Him. Jesus’ enemies could not honestly prove Him guilty of sin.

Jesus’ closest followers lived with him night and day seven days a week for more than three years. They traveled with Him by foot and by boat. They shared meals with Him and endured common hostilities. They listened to every word he spoke. They observed His behavior in good times and bad. If Jesus had stumbled even once, they would have known it. But Peter, one of Jesus’ closest companions, wrote, “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:22).

The writer of Hebrews, who based his comments on the eye-witnesses testimony of others, wrote, “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus’ followers found no fault in Him.

The sinless nature of Jesus is also seen in his prayers. In his most intimate prayers to God, there is no hint of remorse due to sin. There is no confession of wrong, no trace of repentance. He preached repentance to others (Matthew 4:17), but He, himself, did not need to repent. He commended a tax-collector for praying, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13); yet, Jesus never begged God for mercy. He taught His followers to pray for forgiveness (Luke 11:4), but He never once asked for forgiveness. Why? Because He had no sin. He never did anything that He regretted. He did nothing that displeased God. His conscience was never disturbed by the memory of past sin. Jesus was sinless. The contrast between Jesus and all other men is sharp and real. How can we account for Jesus’ unstained life? Jesus’ sinless life was an outgrowth of His unique character.

Signs of Honest Reporting

The gospel accounts of Jesus bear all the signs of honest reporting. When the citizens of Nazareth rejected Jesus and tried to kill Him, Luke recorded it (Luke 4:14-30). When Jesus’ enemies accused Him of being a glutton and a drunkard, Matthew recorded it (Matthew 11:19). When they accused Him of being a blasphemer, Mark recorded it (Mark 14:64). When his enemies accused Him of being a liar (Matthew 27:63) and demon-possessed (John 8:48), the gospel writers reported it. When people shouted praises to Jesus as He rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, the gospel writers reported that too (Matthew 21:1-9; Mark 11:1-10; Luke 19:29-38; John 12:12-15). They did not try to white-wash the insults. They reported the good and the bad. That is strong evidence of honest reporting. This gives us reason to believe that the Jesus we read about in the Bible is the authentic historical Jesus.

Jesus’ Character Survives Attacks

Vicious attacks have been made on Jesus by atheists, theologians, mystics, and skeptics of every description. Yet, the awesome picture of Jesus, the sinless man of Galilee, still remains.

How can we explain the character of Jesus? Critics can analyze and criticize the gospels all they want, but they cannot destroy the portrait presented in the New Testament. Four gospel writers from diverse backgrounds and with diverse viewpoints have painted a unified picture of Jesus as the perfect man– a man who made God known to the world (John 1:18).

As someone has said, the Biblical picture of Jesus startles us, surprises us, and takes our breath away. It is not what we expected. We could not have invented it. And yet, the longer we look at it, the more God-like Jesus appears. It is too super-human not to be true. And it draws all serious believers into a closer communion with God.

Conclusion

The more thoroughly we study the gospels, the more evidence we see that they were based on eye-witness testimony, and that the writers faithfully reported what they had seen and heard.

JESUS - THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Today’s world is full of violence. War and genocide are commonplace. Drug cartels fight one another and shoot it out with government agencies who are trying to stop the sale of illicit drugs. Street gangs rob innocent people at gunpoint and kill rival gang members who intrude into their territory. Domestic violence is rampant as husbands and wives abuse and even kill one another.

Nearly every day, suicide bombers blow themselves up in market places, subways, and other public places killing innocent people. Parents turn their children into human bombs thinking they are sending them to paradise. Elaborate plans are devised for blowing up airplanes, bridges, and tall buildings. Governments often try to cover up what is happening so that good people will not object.

During the Middle Ages, “Christian” crusaders killed innocent people in the name of Christ, but that was not in keeping with the nature of Jesus. True Christians do not go to war to change people’s religion. It was wrong in the Middle Ages, and it is still wrong.

Are you sick and tired of violence? Do you yearn for peace and tranquility? Would you like to relax and enjoy the company of your family and friends without fear? Have you had your fill of hating and being hated? If so, there is good news for you. God has a plan for restoring peace to you and the world.

God Wants Peace

Through the ages, human beings have yearned for peace. Politicians have promised peace. Anti-war demonstrators have tried to impose peace. But peace does not come through human effort. Peace comes from God.

In the beginning, God created a peaceful environment for Adam and Eve. There was harmony in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve were at peace with God, with each other, and with the animals.

Then sin entered the picture and ruined everything. By disobeying God, Adam and Eve traded their peace for chaos, shame, and sorrow. The Bible is a history of God’s efforts to restore peace to the human race.

Aaron, the high priest and older brother of Moses, said to the Israelites, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

The prophet Jeremiah wrote, “I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil” (Jeremiah 29:11, Amplified Bible).

God wants to be at peace with us, and He wants us to be at peace with others. So He has developed a plan that leads to a peace that is unshakable–a peace that keeps us calm and unruffled during the most violent storms of life.

Isaiah Foresees the Prince of Peace

About 700 B.C., Isaiah wrote, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, . . . And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

This prophecy pointed forward to Jesus. Jesus is the Prince of Peace.

The night Jesus was born, angels appeared to shepherds in a field saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14). The birth of Jesus brought glory to God and peace to those who are right with God.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace

The best way to evaluate a religion is to examine the life and teachings of its founder. Let us look at the peaceful nature of Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus came into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it (John 3:17). Jesus did not behead people and dump their bodies into trenches. His kingdom was not of this world, and his followers did not fight to prevent his arrest by the Jews (John 18:36). When soldiers arrested Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter drew his sword and cut off the right ear of Malcus, the high priest’s servant. Jesus rebuked Peter saying, “Put your sword away!” (John 18:11).

Jesus never ordered people to be killed if they blasphemed his name. He never made slaves of prisoners taken in battle. In fact, Jesus never fought in a military battle. He was the Prince of Peace.

Jesus did not have numerous wives. He did not marry at all. Mary, Martha, and Mary Magdalene were close friends, but His relationship with them was spiritual, not physical. As a single man, Jesus was able to give full attention to doing the will of God.

Jesus did not coerce people into believing in him. At one point, many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed Him (John 6:66). But he did not call them infidels and have them killed. He simply let them go. Jesus was the Prince of Peace.

Near the end of his life, Jesus passed through Samaria on his way to Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to prepare the way for him in a Samaritan village; but the people there did not welcome Him. When James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” (Luke 9:54). Jesus rebuked James and John and went on to another village (Luke 9:56). Accepting Jesus was voluntary. He was the Prince of Peace.

Jesus taught his followers to forgive those who sinned against them (Luke 11:4). He did not teach them to take vengeance on people who dishonored them, their family, or their religion. He did not retaliate when he was abused. He did not order the death of his enemies. Instead, he prayed, “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). Jesus was the Prince of Peace.

Terrorism, fighting, and killing in the name of God is inconsistent with the character of Jesus. Jesus never led a raid. He never killed anyone. Instead, He said, “Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also” (Matthew 5:39). “If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:41). “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (Matthew 5:7). “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9). “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).

Jesus was a spiritual leader, not a military leader. If all human beings would follow the example and teachings of Jesus, people would beat their swords into plow shares and their spears into pruning hooks (Isaiah 2:4). They would stop fighting each other and start fighting Satan.

The apostle Paul said, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We abolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

Peace with God

The apostle Paul writes, “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Paul explains, “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). By sacrificing his life on the cross, Jesus reconciled us with God.

Paul continues, “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” (Romans 5:10). The term “reconciled” means that we are now on friendly terms with God. God has reconciled us to himself through Christ “by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross” (Colossians 1:19-20). Jesus died in order to restore peace between us and God.

Peace with Others

Jesus also gives us peace with others. He removes racism, prejudice, and hostility. He died to make peace between Jews and non-Jews. He reconciled “both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility” (Ephesians 2:14-16).

Jesus is our peace. He preached peace to Jews and non-Jews alike and reconciled us to God and to each other. When we follow Him, there is peace in the world. Jesus would say to us, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18). “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy” (Hebrews 12:14). “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts . . . since you were called to peace” (Colossians 3:15).

That’s what Peter meant when he said to Cornelius, the Roman centurion, and his household, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all” (Acts 10:34-36).

The Peace of God

Life is not easy. Neither is it fair. Through no fault of our own, life often caves in on us. A loved one dies of cancer. We lose our job and thus our source of income. Our family is hungry. Our baby is stillborn and is buried in a cemetery. The bank forecloses on our property. Our son is killed on the battlefield.

Life is full of trouble. Having the peace of God does not mean that we don’t experience pain. It means that God gives us peace in the midst of pain. Jesus makes that possible. He carries us through difficult times. As Paul said, “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:5b-7).

The inner peace that we receive when we put our trust in God defies explanation. Unbelievers simply cannot understand it. This inner peace guards our hearts and minds from despair.

Jesus says to us, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Jesus invites us to come to Him for relief. The yoke he places upon us does not bring bondage. It brings peace.

Conclusion

We are engaged in a cosmic battle with the forces of evil, but we do not wage war as the world does. We fight with spiritual weapons. These spiritual weapons enable us to defeat the deceptive arguments of Satan, and they lead the world to peace and harmony.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He is calling us to peace, not to terrorism, death, and destruction.

The question is, “Will we follow the Prince of Peace?” The choice is ours, and so are the consequences.