John 14:27 - The Peace of Jesus

"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." (ESV)

This verse shows us something that Jesus gave us. This isn't something that he might give us, this isn't a miracle that is a rare occurrence, this is something that Jesus himself left for us. There are several key points I want to pull out of this verse which I pray will help you to understand the amazing gift that our Lord has granted us.

The first sentence of this verse is important and it is the part that most people remember. Jesus is saying that he will leave us with peace, but notice how he doesn't stop there. He could have and it would still be amazing, but Jesus goes on to clarify that he is leaving his peace with us. Think about it, the same peace that Jesus had is available to you. This is the peace that allowed him to withstand the people who mocked him and insulted him. This is the peace that allowed him to love those who were torturing him. This is the peace that allowed him to willingly go to the cross, to suffer brutal torture and a horrific death. This is the peace that is available to you as a servant of Jesus.

I would like to emphasise that this gift is available to you. You don't automatically get this peace when you become a Christian, it doesn't just magically turn all your worries into nothing. You must take hold of this amazing gift. Jesus says that he is leaving his peace with us but we still need to take hold of it. An example is when someone leaves a package at your door. The package is available to you, and you do have it, but unless you go to the door and take it, it is as if it doesn't exist. So take hold of this amazing gift that Jesus has left for you.

The next sentence shows us what kind of a gifts Jesus gives. Notice that he doesn't specify peace in this sentence. This is because Jesus isn't only talking about his gift of peace, he is saying that all that he gives is done in a different way to how the world gives things. When the world gives to us there is always a price, there is always a condition that must be fulfilled, but the gifts that Jesus gives don't have any of these requirements. Jesus gives these gifts to us with no strings attached. It doesn't matter who you are, or what you've done. Jesus gives freely, and he gives gifts that the world cannot offer. He gives us many things such as life, joy, hope, and peace.

This verse ends by telling us what this peace will allow us to do. We won't be troubled nor will we be afraid. When we have the peace of God, we understand in our hearts that God, the creator of the universe, is on our side. This means that there is nothing that can defeat us, nothing that can stop us when we are doing God's will, for as the scriptures say, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Apart from Salvation, this is possibly the greatest gift that Jesus has given to us. The ability to go through life without stress, without anxiety. This is something that the world has been striving to duplicate throughout history, and it is available to you, right now. So pray to the God of peace that he will provide this amazing gift of peace.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, this gift that you have given me is far greater than anything the world can give. I ask that you help me to take hold of this gift so that I may experience the peace that transcends all understanding. Amen.