Christ: The King of Peace

Blessed Palm Sunday greetings to you! May the peace and joy of our LORD and saviour fill our hearts! Palm Sunday falls on the Sunday before Easter and commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. As we see in the Gospels, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, while people shouted “Hosanna!” (meaning LORD save us) and waved palm branches to welcome him as a king. This is a fulfilment of the Messianic prophecy recorded in the Old Testament. We also see the contrast between the people’s expectations of a political change which would free them from Roman rule, and Jesus’ actual mission to bring salvation through his death on the cross. In remembrance of all these we hold processions, marked by prayers and hymns. Today, in view of His triumphal entry, let us meditate on Christ’s role as the King of Peace.

Peace is described as a state of harmony and tranquillity, where there is an absence of conflict, disturbance or violence. It also refers to inner peace, that is a sense of calmness and content within oneself, and outward peace between individuals or nations. To live peacefully, is the wish of everyone on earth. However, we often find ourselves without peace within ourselves. Further, the general state of things on earth shows that there is no lasting peace anywhere. Though it might look bleak, there is hope. Among the various things which the LORD provides us, peace is one of them. The title of Jesus Christ during his birth also included “Prince of Peace”. This peace provided by Jesus Christ is different from the peace which we have defined earlier in a certain way. This peace cannot be taken away and it cannot be provided by the world. Through His teachings, miracles and ultimate sacrifice on the cross, Jesus demonstrated his role as the ultimate peacemaker and saviour of humanity, bringing hope, healing and restoration to the world.

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey. I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim And the horse from Jerusalem; The battle bow shall be cut off. He shall speak peace to the nations; His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.’ Zechariah 9:9-10

In the Old Testament, the LORD through Zechariah speaks of the coming of a victorious and peaceful king who will bring salvation to his people. A king who will ride triumphantly into Jerusalem on a donkey, a symbol of humility and peace. He shall speak peace to the nations. Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey fulfilling this passage. He preached about peace and through His death He offered it to the world. Further, this passage also foretells the role of Christ when He returns. “His dominion shall be ‘from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.’” One of the places where we lack peace in the world is between the decisions of the leaders of the world and the people under them, for a myriad of reasons. But to have Jesus Christ, who offered himself as an atonement for all people, rule over the nations will no doubt remove any conflicts and provide peace to all the nations. While we do not know when this will be fulfilled and we eagerly await, we can rest assured that it is the LORD who raises rulers, and through faith and prayer, we can ensure peace in our nations. Besides,

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. Psalm 24:1-2

The other aspect of peace which Christ offers, has to do with our relationship with the LORD and fellow man. Due to sin, there was a conflict between us and the LORD, and through the blood of Jesus Christ peace is made. Prior to this, approaching the LORD was difficult, and there was always a wall of separation in terms of the Law. The Law was hard to follow, and it did not make us pure, but nevertheless showed us what is wrong. Christ when he appeared on earth, fulfilled the Law and thus freed us from the yoke while offering us a straight connection to the Father through Himself.

For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. Ephesians 2:14-16

Additionally, reconciliation with the Father provided reconciliation with our fellow men. Since Christ gave himself for all humanity, there is no disparity in Him. Though each of us might be different in various things, we are all united through Christ our Saviour. In essence, the whole world is the household of God, where Jesus Christ is the cornerstone. Thus, there is no need for division among humans, but we are all part of the same family of God.

And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. Ephesians 2:17-22

Jesus is the ultimate peacemaker. He came not to conquer through force, but through love. Christ offers hope, forgiveness and reconciliation thereby transforming us and giving us peace. Thus, peace is not just an absence of conflict, by the presence of love and compassion. Now, as we celebrate Palm Sunday, let us follow the example left by Jesus Christ and strive to be peacemakers; to love our enemies and to forgive those who wronged us. Through His grace and mercy, we can find peace that surpasses all understanding and share it with the world which desperately needs it.