“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”
John 14:27 ESV
This passage records the blessed words of Jesus spoken by Him at the last Passover table before His crucifixion. These words were spoken after Judas had left the table to betray Jesus, as he sought the wealth and fame of this world instead of the Kingdom of God. Only the eleven true and earnest disciples were left. Those who loved Jesus from the heart. To them Jesus spoke some of the most beautiful and important teachings in all scripture.
In these lines Jesus proclaims His peace upon His followers, which will come in full, after his resurrection. Jesus is telling His disciples that he is going away, that the situation is soon to change, but they do not understand what He is saying. They will only understand what Jesus is saying after these words are spoken. Jesus is going to the cross to accomplish the salvation of all His people – all who will believe in His name. Those who believe in Jesus as Savior will be called sons and daughters of God (John 1:12) and so will receive an inheritance in the Kingdom of God. The fullness of this inheritance will be given as we enter Heaven, but aspects of it are given to us now.
Jesus has left us His peace. By the death and resurrection of Jesus we have peace with God. One of the central works of Jesus was to reconcile God and humanity, to remove the guilt and sin that condemned us before God so that our relationship might flourish in peace. This is a peace that Jesus gives to us, not a peace that we attain ourselves. The people of this world have always lived in strife and trouble. The proclamation that Jesus would give them peace would be a welcomed message of hope. Jesus is telling them, and us, that peace does not come from within but from Heaven.
Peace in the face of unending worldly struggles does not come from within ourselves or from the world. Peace will never come from drugs, whether alcohol or from prescriptions drugs tailored more specifically to remove sadness. Peace will not come by mentally focusing on positive things of this world. Peace will not come by acquiring a certain job, or position in that job. Peace will not come from the willful ignorance of turning a blind eye to painful realities of sin. Peace will not come from acquiring certain possessions, no matter how much they are desired. True, lasting, and life-giving peace only comes from Jesus! As we believe in, seek after, and partake in Jesus day after day, He ministers His grace to our hearts which sets us truly at peace. The peace of Jesus is a small part of Heaven ministered to us now in this dying world.
The grace of Jesus ministered to our heart leads to tranquility, as it kills off the churning desires and passions for this world. It subdues the eager and insatiable appetites of the sensual nature and greediness after the vanities of the world. God’s peace puts to death hatred, jealousy, wrath, lust, and envy which all work to produce a continual inward uneasiness and anxiety. This heavenly peace instead produces the sweet, calming, and quieting virtues of humility, meekness, patience, gentleness, forgiveness, and reliance upon Jesus. Through the peace given by Jesus, we may walk like Jesus through the waves of the storm (Matthew 14:22-33). As the waves of a great storm beat the sides of the disciples’ boat, Jesus walked in perfect peace upon the water. By the power of God, Jesus walks in perfect peace while the disciples fear for their lives.
Jesus does not give peace like the world offers. Heavenly peace is not just the absence of conflict, but the blessed presence of Jesus with us and in our heart by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. By the finished work of Jesus, we can rest in the full hope of grounded faith. Jonathan Edwards writes, “When Christ had finished His labors and sufferings, and rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, then He entered into His rest and into a state of most blessed, perfect, and everlasting peace. Delivered by His own sufferings from our imputed guilt, acquitted and justified of the Father in His resurrection, having obtained a perfect victory over all His enemies; was received of His Father into heaven, the rest which He had prepared for Him, there to enjoy His heart’s desire fully and perfectly to all eternity” (Peace Which Christ Gives to His True Followers – Jonathan Edwards).
This new year, may you set your mind and heart upon the salvation of Jesus. Do not seek first the passing and dying things of this world but seek first Jesus and the peace that He gives. Don’t start your day with a dose of all the terrible things happening in the world or first give your heart to the pursuit of position and wealth. Give the first and best moments of your day to drawing near to Jesus (abiding) by prayerfully reading His word and praying for strength to obey His will. Ask Jesus to bless you with His peace. Give your fears and troubles to Jesus in prayer. Hear how the Bible addresses your struggles and temptations with clear instruction. Believe these teachings and walk by obedient faith. Set your mind on the reality of the salvation of Jesus.
By common grace, Jesus gives material blessings to all the world – even those who hate His name. However, the peace of Jesus is a precious benefit He reserves only for those who love Him and believe His gospel. Jesus Christ’s peace is living bread to His children. Partake of the peace of Jesus today and this year. Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God. Let not your hearts be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good (John 14:1-6, Romans 12:21).
The peace of Jesus Christ to you,
Pastor Vic