August 15, 2024

John 14:23-31 (HCSB)
23 Jesus answered, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 24 The one who doesn’t love Me will not keep My words. The word that you hear is not Mine but is from the Father who sent Me. 25 “I have spoken these things to you while I remain with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit—the Father will send Him in My name—will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have told you. Jesus’ Gift of Peace 27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard Me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over Me. 31 On the contrary, I am going away so that the world may know that I love the Father. Just as the Father commanded Me, so I do. “Get up; let’s leave this place.

David Bale
Continuing the conversation, Jesus is again comforting and reassuring His disciples in verse 27. Though He was leaving, they didn’t need to fear or be troubled. They could have peace. What is the difference between the peace that Jesus gives and the world’s idea of peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict and/or chaos? Jesus’ peace is the confident assurance in any circumstance (aka JOY). With Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the present or the future. There are numerous spiritual forces that are at war within us: sin, fear, doubt, etc. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Jesus says He will give us that peace, if we are willing to accept it from Him. If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s peace (Phil. 4: 6-7).

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