My 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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14:27).

In this text we should understand the difference between the peace Jesus gives, and the peace the world gives. We also need to ask the question, is there a difference between the peace Jesus left with the disciples, and the peace He would give to the disciples? We will also need to understand how the peace that Jesus gives assuages a troubled and fearful heart.

The word ‘peace’ is eirenay. It is the equivalent to the Hebrew word shalom. To the Jews, shalom was, and is both a salutation (Hello) and a benediction (Good-bye). But it means more than just ‘hello’ and ‘good-bye’. It conveys the idea of the blessing of prosperity to the one who receives the salutation and benediction. The idea behind it is this - if a person is prosperous, they are likely to live in peace (free from worry, anxiety, etc.) than a person who is not prosperous. In other words, a person who lives from pay-check to pay-check often worries if they will have enough money to pay the bills and put food on the table. A person who has plenty of money in the bank doesn’t worry about such things. Shalom: may you be prosperous.

What is the peace Jesus left with the disciples? It is both objective and subjective, and it is more spiritual than material. Objectively, peace conveys the idea of acceptance or reconciliation with God. It is stated in Romans 5:1, Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Having been born spiritually dead in trespasses and sins, Jesus Christ has made us spiritually alive in Him when we are saved (Ephesians 2:1). Dead in trespasses and sins alienates us from God. Alive in Jesus Christ makes us children of God. Dead in trespasses and sins causes us to war against God who is holy and righteous. In Jesus Christ that war is over. Bill & Gloria Gaither wrote, “It is finished, the battle is over. It is finished, there’ll be no more war. It is finished, the end of the conflict. It is finished, and Jesus is Lord.” Although we take this to refer to the victory Jesus won on the cross over Satan, sin, and death, it also refers to the victory we have in Jesus over Satan, sin, and death, when we believe in, and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. It refers to the peace with have with God the Father where once there was the spiritual war raging in our heart and mind before we are saved.

Subjectively, peace conveys the idea of tranquility, confident assurance, deep-seated satisfaction that all is well. It is stated in Philippians 4:6-7, Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Like poor Lazarus who died and went to heaven (Luke 16:22-23) the rich man saw him from hell, resting in Abraham’s bosom. His pain and suffering, cares and concerns in life were over. Objectively, the peace of Jesus Christ is judicial - we are no longer enemies of God, but children of God. Subjectively, the peace of Jesus Christ is experiential - we have ‘joy unspeakable and full of glory’ no matter our life’s situation. Amen.

Pastor