Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
Jesus' gift of peace — better than anything the world offers.
The episode in a glance.
- 01Jesus was about to be arrested and crucified.
- 02'My peace' is different from the world's peace.
- 03The world gives peace based on circumstances; Jesus gives it despite them.
- 04'Let not your hearts be troubled' — this peace is a command and a gift.
Read along.
John 14:27 — 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.' This is in the Upper Room, the night before Jesus dies.
He's just told his disciples he's leaving. They've given up everything to follow him. And now he's going. Naturally, they're troubled. And Jesus says: I'm giving you something before I go. Peace.
'My peace.' Not generic peace. Not the absence of conflict. His peace. The peace that allowed him to sleep through a storm. The peace that carried him to the cross. The peace that comes from knowing the Father and trusting his plan.
'Not as the world gives.' The world gives peace based on circumstances. Good job, good health, good relationships — then you have peace. Jesus gives peace independent of circumstances. Troubled? Yes. Afraid? No. Because his peace is deeper than the trouble.
'Let not your hearts be troubled.' That's both a command and a permission. Stop being troubled. You don't have to be. You have my peace. It's yours. Take it. And let it guard your heart.