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 PEACE? “Freedom from disturbance; Tranquility” (Oxford Languages)
Jesus made such a powerful statement on this “Freedom from disturbance...” and we quote it so many times today but have we truly experienced the divine insight of this text?
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| Peace in Trinidad (Photo by Netisha A) |
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Jesus (the only perfect human to walk the face of the earth) is telling us that He is giving us HIS peace in place of what the world gives. There are two critical points to note here:
1. Jesus is giving us His peace.
2. The peace that world gives us is obviously no match for HIS peace, which means the world's version peace can most likely be seasonal and deteriorate over time.
Let’s look at these two points a bit further. Jesus walked the face of the earth and was faced with many adversaries, trials, unpleasant and pleasant circumstances, betrayal and deception. Yet He was able to fulfill His divine purpose in the earth and managed to remain sinless and so focused that He never took a detour. Metaphorically, Jesus’ peace can be explained as HIM sleeping soundly in a ship filled with panicking men about to get wrecked in a storm. -Unnatural! (See Matthew 8:24-25)
That is the type of peace He’s left us with. The type where you can face your storm and say to it; “I see you but if God allows you to approach me it is because He has a plan for my life so you could either ‘be still’ or do your thing, I remain unbothered!
“Imma just sleep through this one like Jesus...”
Another example is just how well Jesus kept His composure when the soldiers came to arrest Him in the garden. Again the Apostles were moved with emotions but Jesus remained steadfast even when He knew the painful fate that was approaching. (See John 18:1-11)
Question: So if Jesus has given you His peace how will you respond the next time you are faced with anything that is designed to take it away?
2. Why would Jesus say “I do not give you as the world gives... let not your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid?”
How many times do you hear of people taking drugs for peace of mind, going on a trip for peace of mind, listening to music or a motivational speeches for the purpose of attaining peace? Like the world, all of these are temporary that’s why one keeps returning to these worldly sources for peace. This is also why some people become addicted because they simply aren't satisfied nor have they received true peace.
So the next time you desire inner peace perhaps you can reflect on this one scripture and the examples Jesus taught in representation of it and then seek the peace that the world cannot give. Shalom!
