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.
When Jesus was walking
among us in human form, the world considered the term "peace" to be
both a greeting and an expression of farewell. When he left this message,
it was a farewell message given directly to the twelve people (His Apostles)
who had followed Him for the past three and one-half years. Indirectly, this
message was for everyone who would follow Jesus until the time He came back to
the earth for His children. So, this message is a greeting from Jesus and a
farewell, not a goodbye, but until we see Him coming in all His glory. How
often have we said to someone awfully close to us when we may have to be
separated for an extended period, farewell until we meet again. So, this
message is directed to the twelve and all that choose to follow and believe in
Him.
The peace that Jesus was leaving for all that follow and trust in Him, he called "my peace." This peace that Jesus was bestowing upon all of His followers was His peace; He is the prince of peace (Isaiah 9:6). To the world, the idea of peace is a lack of hostilities. Jesus' peace that He left for all that follow and believe in Him was peace with God (Romans 5:1) and the peace of God (Philippians 4:7). This two-fold peace that Jesus left for us first breaks down the enmity between God and ourselves and brings about a peace to our everyday lives that we cannot even comprehend (refer back to Philippians 4:7).
The fleeting peace that the world offers attempts to show itself as the answer and solution to the end of all hostility (1 Thessalonians 5:3). The peace of Jesus goes far beyond the end of worldly hatred because it allows us a relationship with our Lord and Savior and will bring peace to a troubled heart. The peace of Jesus may not end all worldly hostility at this present time, but it will bring about calmness and allow all that possess His peace not to be troubled or afraid. It is a peace that surpasses all occurrences and events.
The promise of His peace that Jesus left for us was not some imperturbable serenity to avoid discord and divergence that will undoubtedly come our way. Jesus left no doubt that there was trouble for His apostles on the horizon and us today as well (John 16:32-33). We have warnings in many other places in the New Testament of imminent conflicts that will come our way (James 1:2-4). His peace is not dependent on our self-confidence but the work of God in our lives. We will have to walk in some deep dark valleys and sail some stormy seas. Still, we will never face that or any adversity alone because of the indescribable peace of Christ Jesus that he has left for all that follow and believe in Him and are willing to surrender our lives to His will instead of our plans and schemes.
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