John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
What is more comforting than the words of Jesus telling us not to be afraid but to receive His peace. Not only does He say He is leaving us with peace, but He says it will be HIS peace. How amazing is that? What could be better than the peace of Jesus in our lives?
Jesus offered these words in reassurance to His disciples on the night before He was crucified. He wanted them to feel comfort about His departure from this world, as well as to be prepared for the upcoming trials they would face and the promise of the Holy Spirit yet to come. When they heard that He was leaving them and would be betrayed, they were left confused and unsettled and probably afraid of what was to come.
And that is when He offered them peace. Using the word shalom, which we learned yesterday is the Hebrew word for peace, was often done as a greeting when people parted ways. Jesus took it to a higher level though, offering a divine peace, an inner tranquility that transcends everything else.
He told them that no one gives the way He gives. The world gives us one thing, but He grants something far better and longer lasting. Nothing the world offers, like possessions, safety, or political stability, can even come close to that which He offers to us. And what is better, He offers it to use freely, no strings attached. His peace is more than just an absence of conflict in our lives. It is an inward calm and spiritual well-being.
And then He told them to not let their hearts be troubled and to not be afraid. This is a direct command that accompanies His provision of peace. It is through that extra command and His peace that believers, you and I, have the power to choose trust over panic, no matter how hard life might feel when you are going through it.
What are you facing today? Whatever it may be, know that He has peace to offer you, His peace. Just like we learned that God’s perfect peace was available to us, so is Jesus’s peace. Turn to Him today, embrace that peace, and choose to trust Him instead of worrying or stressing over the unknown and yet to come.
Prayer: Lord, I am undeserving of Your peace but ask for it anyway and trust You to fill me with it. Let my heart not be troubled and help me not to be afraid. Amen
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