18 “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me. 25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate,[i] the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
John 14:18-27
In the very difficult days before the death of Jesus, His disciples were growing more fearful. And Jesus spoke to them of hope.
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
John 14:27
Chapter 14 of John’s gospel starts off with words that I often read to crowds at funerals. In the opening few lines of that chapter, Jesus told his followers that as they encountered what would soon happen (his own death) they didn’t need to be troubled or afraid, because he was going away to prepare a place them. He assured them that the day would come when they would get to join him in this new home.
Later in the chapter, Jesus spoke words of comfort that they could count on even before their own trip to the heavenly mansion.
“Peace I leave with you.” Jesus told those whom he loved. “My peace I give to you.”
There’s always been a special promise to me in those words from Jesus. Jesus has not left us here alone. The Spirit is here to give us comfort and peace. Because that is true, something soothing seems to wash over me when I listen so closely that I can hear Jesus speak:
“My peace I give to you.”
That peace comes in knowing each and every day that God loves me. That peace comes in knowing that God knows where I’m heading, even when I am having trouble seeing the destination, and if I will just follow the path that is spelled out in God’s Word, life will be quite an adventure and peace will be a component. What Jesus promised, He gives —-peace.
God, help me to settle down long enough each day to receive the peace that You promise through my Lord and Savior, Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.