Scripture – “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. “You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.”
John 14:27-28 NIV
Observation – Jesus is about to be arrested and crucified. He tells his disciples in the midst of this news not to be afraid because he is giving them his peace. He instructs them not to be troubled because, while he is going away, he is coming back again. He told them this earlier in John 14:1-4 and reinforces it so they don’t succumb to fear and despair, ““Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.””
Application – This past week I’ve spoken with several people that are striving for peace, so for for them it has been elusive. Jesus says he does not give as the world gives. How does the world go about promising peace to people? Is it not through the acquisition of position, power, fame, things, beauty, experiences, accomplishments or good standing in the community. Everyone likes the items on this list, they make you feel valuable and God designed us for hard work and excellence so we get a physical reward through dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine when good things happen. We also get satisfaction and confidence when we set a goal, strive to attain it and receive the recognition and rewards associated with winning. The world gives temporary victories that satisfy for a moment. The peace Jesus gives is eternal because it is based on the promise that he is coming back to get us and take us with him to a place where there is no more mourning, crying, pain or death. This peace is found and made secure through a relationship with Jesus. He can deliver on this promise because he is God.
Prayer – Lord, I pray for believers that they would begin to enjoy and rest in this peace so that the world would look at us and wonder how we can live in peace when the world is on fire.
What are you doing? Do it better 