Jesus not only is the Prince of Peace . . . he gave peace . . .

John 14:27 CSB – 27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.

note: Jesus said this to his disciples just prior to his betrayal. There was reason, humanly, to be afraid. Jesus offers peace amid the turmoil . . .

Isaiah 53:4-6 CSB – 4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. 6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the LORD has punished him for the iniquity of us all.

What an incredible gift — peace with God  . . .

Romans 5:1, 6-8 CSB – 1 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. … 6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person ​– ​though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Are you still memorizing Matthew 1:18-25? All this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet . . .

God has a plan.