Laced With Grace – Christian Devotions

The Prince of Peace

By Katie Sweeting December 11, 2019 Devotion

I live in Jersey City, New Jersey. Our city is known as the most diverse city in the country, a fast-growing, gentrifying city in close proximity to New York City (a 10-20 minute PATH train ride away), and today, for a shooting that killed a police officer and five others. Our city has a problem with gun violence because our country has a problem with gun violence. Unfortunately, the terms “active shooter” and “school shooting” have become commonplace, and we are no longer shocked when we hear about another school shooting.

It’s easy to think that violence is worse now than in previous generations, but each generation has had its share of violence– wars, feuds, domestic disputes. The land of Galilee, when Jesus was born, was known “for political unrest, banditry and tax revolts,” and the Roman authorities would forcefully break up large assemblies (Frontline, From Jesus to Christ, Allen D. Callahan, Harvard Divinity School). Into this setting, Jesus was born.

Jesus was born into a world of confusion, corrupt government, and violence, which doesn’t sound much different than our world today! Jesus is the Prince of peace, who came to “seek and to save the lost” Luke 19:10.
When the Apostle John wrote that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” or as Eugene Peterson writes, “Jesus moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14), he was writing about Israel in the first century. But I believe Jesus moved into Jersey City, and your neighborhood, too. Jesus lives among us, in us, with us, and as His ambassadors, we are His representatives in a fallen world. On days like today, it’s important to remember that our neighbors may never hear of Jesus or see Him in action unless we demonstrate His love to them. The Prince of Peace is present in our lives and in our neighborhoods. Even, and maybe especially, on a day like today, it’s an important reminder.

3 thoughts on “The Prince of Peace”

  1. Iris Nelson

    You are right, Katie; violence has always been part of life this side of heaven. Just thinking about the crusades of centuries ago, makes my stomach turn. Today it seems more violent because we have instant access to the news.
    May we let His light shine in a dark world.

  2. Luwana

    As I read your piece I thought of Herod’s slaughter of the innocents. The world is violent, but God’s love is relentless. Our strength is in Him alone. I will pray for peace for your community in this season and on every day. He can envelop and protect (and through our confidence) show others the difference He makes.

  3. Katie Sweeting

    Thanks, Iris and Luwana. Our strength and our peace is surely in Jesus alone. And we are His lights in this dark world.