Peace that the World Cannot Give

John 14:25-31

 

Do not be afraid is a very common expression found in the Bible. Jesus might not say exactly do not be afraid, but he says something similar and offers us peace.

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.
John 14:27 ESV

There are many times our peace may be disturbed or lost, but Jesus offers us His peace. This peace is not the same as the world gives.

Peace from the world is dependent on circumstances. If things are good, we can have peace. When you surroundings are difficult, that peace can be easily lost. However, the peace Jesus offers is not influenced by external situations.

The peace that Jesus gives to His disciples has a different nature than that of the world. This peace actually depends on the recognition of the sovereign God who is in complete control. When we have an understanding and trust that God is in control allowing all things to happen or not, we can have peace. Jesus returning to God in heaven fulfills His sovereign lordship.

You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.
John 14:28 ESV

Now that Jesus has gone to take his rightful place in heaven, He is in control of all things. Jesus permits both good things and bad things to happen to us. Even when we fail we need to train ourselves to acknowledge that Jesus is in control.

Jesus tells us that He is control and not to worry. Also, He would be with us forever and send a helper.

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
John 14:26 ESV

“I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
John 14:18 ESV

Jesus makes a promise to remain with us whether we have failed or succeeded. It is not only our situations which do not influence the peace of the Lord, but also our own actions and attitudes.

The disciples did not behave in a way that showed they fully trusted Jesus. Peter denies Jesus three times. Other disciples went back to their old profession of fishing after Jesus died. Yet, Jesus never gave up on His disciples. In fact, Jesus even seeks out Thomas to prove to Thomas that He has indeed risen. Jesus loved his disciples that much and wanted them to have a right understanding of who Jesus is and why they did not have to fear.

All of our difficult times will come to an end, but how do we obtain this peace during our difficult times? 

Acknowledge that Jesus is in control and ask Jesus what you need to do. God cares about the means to success and not the end result. Jesus will give us instructions on how to respond; we just need to ask and acknowledge his authority.