I Will Give You Peace

Peace? How can we possibly have that in this day and age? Things happen every day that scares us. Is there really such a thing. I mean come on, when God gave that love note, the world was in a much better shape. Wasn't it?

Well no, it wasn't. The whole bible is filled with things that did not make God's people always feel really peaceful.

"Peace I leave you. My peace I give you. Not as the world gives you..." John 14:27

Ah, so that is the key. The peace that Jesus gives. Because you see he said that to his disciples after he had been crucified and had risen from the grave.  Jesus was trying to prepare his disciples for when he would  be returning to his Father in heaven. 

He knew his friends w would miss him. After all, they had lived with him for three years. Now he was going away? What would they do? 

Thoughts of that time had to be troubling to them. Losing him just wasn't what they had thought would happen. They had watched him die on the cross. Had they really thought they had lost him then?

Now here he was. Back with them talking about going away. "Did this really have to happen, Jesus?"

But it had to. It was part of God's plan. 

And yet how would they get along without him?

"I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you."  (vs 18)

Were they quietly wondering....How is going to do that? If he was in heaven, how did he intend to go back to them? 

I think if I had been there, that would have been on my mind. Or something like that. 

"Anyone that loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them and we will come to them and make our home with them..." (vs 23-24)

"All of this I have spoken to you while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you all things and remind you of everything that I have said to you."

"Peace I leave you; my peace I give you not as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

After Jesus rose from the grave, it was imperative that he go back to the Father so that the Holy Spirit could come to those that love God and obeys him, can then dwell within them. The Holy Spirit has specific jobs to do as he lives in us. Two of them are to teach us the things that God wants us to know. But the other one is PEACE. He brings it to us as we are obedient and grow in grace. 

Despite all the bad things that go on in the world, peace is attainable. 

There is only one way to have true peace.And that is the peace we can have through the Holy Spirit and knowing Jesus Christ.  I hope that you have it. Because it is the only kind worth having. 

Thanks for coming by Friends. May the blessing of God's peace surround you today!