King of Peace, give us Your Peace...
We give the Lord Jesus the title "King of Peace," for He is the High Priest of a true Kingdom (Hebrews 7:21), and His name is translated "King of Peace" or "King of Righteousness." "It was first translated "King of righteousness" and then also "King of Salem", meaning King of Peace." (Hebrews 7:2).
Isaiah the Prophet said of Him, "… And the Government will be upon His shoulders. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6).
The peace that the Lord who is risen from the dead gives us, is a peace originated from righteousness, "the righteousness of faith", "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ." (Romans 3:22). The faith in Christ who is risen from the dead. He who believes in Christ who is risen from the dead fills his heart with true peace, "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9).
He has triumphed over death and is risen from the dead in glory, He has overcome the evil ones and endured all things, He has vanquished the devil and captured the captives in hell, and His last conquest was that of eternal love. He has achieved all this victory and glory for our sake and when we believe in His Resurrection and make it part of our lives, then can anything disturb our peace?
Do not worry or think about how to remove any heavy stone from the door of your heart, because the stone has been lifted as you have truly accepted Christ in your heart and He gives you peace, peace between the spirit and the flesh (Romans 7:24-25), and peace with heaven, and peace with your friends and your beloved ones.
"And that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity." (Ephesians 2:16). "Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, … so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace." (Ephesians 2:15).
It is an inner peace that is not affected by what is in this world for it springs from above through the Holy Spirit, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14: 26,27). It is a faith and a peace that is the fruit of the Holy Spirit that gives us confidence and lack of fear. "But the fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..." (Galatians 5: 22).
It was said that a king was looking at two paintings representing peace to choose the one that represented peace better. A calm lake was painted on one of them, with beautiful mountains in the background, a rising sun and a peaceful countryside. Those who were present expected this to be the winning painting. The second one represented a stiff countryside with a strong waterfall. Behind the waterfall there was a tree branch and a bird. It had built its nest on the rock and in it were little chicks and one that was just coming out of the egg! The king rejoiced with this painting and chose it as it represented true peace that is not affected by the surroundings.
It is the peace that does not rely on philosophical thoughts, strength of mind, or logic that give apparent confidence, for it was said, "The peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ." (Philippians 4:7). The King of Peace is truly the King of kings, for the kings of this world do not own the peace and that is why we hear of wars and news of wars from time to time. If there is peace in the reign of a king or a president, then this peace is with the permission of God, for the president himself does not own it, because he can be attacked by a nation or an army or a dispute, but the King of Peace who owns peace is the King of kings, the Lord of lords. He is the King of all, for no one can be the King of Peace unless he is truly the King of all, "And of His Kingdom there will be no end." (Luke 1;33).
When we call out "O King of kings" it is an expression filled with peace, tranquility, and confidence, because the peace he gives us is eternal and remains with us to eternity where there is no struggle or fear after we are crowned with righteousness. According to our faith and our righteousness we find the Risen Lord Jesus come, without any hindrances and look upon us from eternity, saying, "Peace be with you." (John 20:19,21,26).
Copyright © 2007 Saint Antony Coptic Orthodox Monastery, California, U.S.A. The above article may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of Saint Antony Coptic Orthodox Monastery, California, U.S.A. |
