Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you;
not as the world gives, do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
The Gospel of John is written by an Apostle who clearly wants you to understand that this man Jesus, whom he followed, was God in the flesh. He records the many lessons Jesus taught his Disciples, and chronicles the miracles that could only be credited to God Himself.
The Scripture I have chosen for today, speaks volumes to me, as I'm sure it does to millions around the globe. These are fearful times we live in. At perhaps no other time in history has the whole world sat on such a cataclysmic precipice of collapse. There is nearly universal economic woes, and threats of war; not to mention widespread corruption, immorality, wickedness and death from disease, starvation and unholy abortions.
Yet in this passage, our Lord tells us we can know peace. It is not the same peace, as rendered by the spoken word Shalom, which was an ordinary expression of good-bye among the Jews. Jesus knew His time on earth was coming to an end, and He would soon depart from these faithful men who had answered His call. So he needed to leave them with something extra; an addition to this traditional farewell. My peace. Read this scripture again, putting on emphasis on the word My and see how much more powerful is the reading.
This is not a typical or commonplace wish for peace. He specifically states that it is not the same as the world would offer you. This is Jesus's personal, special gift of peace.
When you look up "peace" in the dictionary, the meaning is conveyed as freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility; mental calm, serenity. How many of us can say we experience these states in our mind or body in light of what we face in our day-to-day lives, or see approaching in our future?
There are those of us who may be insulated more than others; they live in affluent, corporate worlds, or are established and comfortable inside government jobs. But make no mistake, the wave that is going to sweep the world will touch us all! No one will remain unaffected. With that realization comes troubled hearts and fearful minds. Jesus is telling us that the Peace he personally gives us will banish that fear and dread that overwhelms us. He is in control of all our circumstances and claiming that truth will keep us firm and unwavering.
It is not easy to maintain this state of Peace. The news of the world continually tells us we can't rely on Him; that the world and its troubles are greater than what Jesus has to offer. When those thoughts crowd your mind, my friends, run to Him. Remember that His peace never changes, because if He promised it, He will deliver it. He also said, "I will never desert you, nor will I forsake you." Hang on to that promise! Then we can confidently proclaim to all those forces that try to rob us of His peace, "The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6).
I volunteer at the hospital and often tell nervous folks to "relax, you're doing ok".
ReplyDeleteBy helping them with the quick computerized "check in" or ushering them to an area of the hospital, I pass on a tiny bit of that special Peace that Jesus gives me.