John 14:27 Peace I leave 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.
Jesus knew that once He was gone it was not going to be easy going for His followers. He even warned them numerous times that it was going to be rough (John 16:33). But was His statement on peace in John 14:27 one of a farewell sayings common in greetings and partings in Eastern cultures or was it more?
If you take only the first half of the verse at face value you would conclude it was a farewell message for His followers. But we have more to the verse than just a statement on peace. He continues and says, “I do not give to you as the world gives.“ The world can only give a routine rendering of words. It may or may not actually give the recipient peace. And even if it does, that peace is temporary.
Not so the peace we are given by Jesus. His peace is spiritual and it is permanent. The New Living Translation says it this way: “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” This translation shows us that His peace is more than a greeting. It is a gift.
The peace we get from God is one that reflects who he is – the Great Comforter, the Prince of Peace… Knowing this, we should not be as affected by fear and anxiety. Of course, as we have learned in previous days, we are not immune to anxiety once we become believers and followers of Christ, but we can address it with His help.
Let your hearts not be troubled, friends. Be filled with His gift of peace.
Be the first to comment