February 28, 2021
John 14:27-29, “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. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.”
Here Jesus reveals yet another aspect of life in the Holy Spirit: we are offered peace. This reminds us of the declaration the angels made when they appeared to the shepherds at the birth of Christ (Luke 2:14). Peace on earth is here, real, everlasting peace, despite the chaos of the moment at Christ’s birth and the inevitable chaos that will come at the death of Christ. In both bookends of Jesus’ life is a proclamation of peace. And this is something new, not peace like the world gives; true peace is that deep-in-the-soul, inexpressible comfort that you experience tangibly on your best of days - in the presence of your dearest confidant, the unconditional love of a spouse, or the comforting hand of someone you trust when you are hurting. Those might seem like traits of peace as the world knows it, but the world knows the source of this comfort as originating with people themselves; what if we know that the source behind that tangible peace is a God who loves you exponentially more than the tenderest of hands and the longest-suffering friend you know. God offers you his peace. Carry peace in your heart. Remember that no matter what comes your way, nothing can ever separate you from the love of Christ (Rom. 8).
Jesus reaffirms his departure and yet his return in the Spirit, and in that day, you will believe. HIs words would come true as it would be the resurrection of Christ, his ascension, and the descending of the Holy Spirit that would change the hearts of thousands quickly after the death of christ.
Prayer: Father, give me your peace. Your true peace. See me where I am right now - see me, really see me and know me and let me be with you. Never before do I need connection with you more than I do right now, Lord. Don't let me go. Amen.
40 Days of Peace: Take a look at the heavenly vision of Zechariah 8. It’s an incredible vision! The prophet Zechariah says this about the coming peace in the heavenly Jerusalem: “Thus says the Lord: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the mountain of the Lord of hosts, the holy mountain. Thus says the Lord of hosts: Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.”
I love this blessed contrast of people, young and old, flourishing in the midst of the city. We don’t need to read too much into this regarding Heaven itself, whether we’ll need canes, etc. - it’s rather a picture of absolute peace and displays the value of all people.
