Devotion by Darrell Hudson
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.“ (John 14:27)
Jesus spoke these words on the eve of His crucifixion. The words of 14 were spoken while Jesus and His twelve disciples were still reclining around the table at the Lord’s Supper. Several things had occurred that kept the disciples in a troubled state of mind. Jesus had just announced that one of their group would betray Him. Further, Jesus told them that He was going away, and they could not go along with Him.
At that moment, fear, uncertainty, and sorrow may have begun to settle over His disciples. Jesus had no inheritance or fortune to leave to His followers in a last will and testament. Yet, Jesus gave them two things greater than any will:
– The presence and power of the Holy Spirit (verse 26)
– The peace of Jesus Himself (our focal verse)
The peace of this world is often based on the absence of conflict, but Jesus gives peace that thrives even when circumstances fall apart. He carefully described the peace as “My peace.” It is the presence of Christ Himself.
“Peace (shalom) be with you” was (and is) the usual Jewish greeting when friends met and parted. Jesus took this normal goodbye phrase and filled it with deep strength and meaning. Jesus, at the end of our focal passage, returned to the theme recorded in the first verse of John 14. With faith in God and His Son, with the receiving of His Spirit and His peace, we can have an untroubled heart in a troubled life.
Reflect:
– How does knowing that Jesus’s gift of peace can be yours regardless of your circumstances impact you today?
– Does the prospect of living with an untroubled heart encourage you to receive His gift right now?
Pray:
Father God, help me to lay down my anxiety and fear and to clothe myself in the peace of Jesus. Jesus, thank you for the gift of your presence!