John 14:27-30
March 5, 2024
John 14:27-30
27 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. 28 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. 29 And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
Those who take Jesus’ words to heart and put them into action will receive his peace as a gift. This peace is something the world around us knows nothing of and could never give. It is a peace which comes from knowing that Jesus is indeed one with the Father, and therefore he is always there to strengthen us with his presence and love. That is why Jesus commands us to not let our hearts be troubled or afraid. The choice is ours.
This peace, however, is no easy thing. It is hard won. Jesus warns that even at that very moment “the ruler of this world” is coming for Jesus through his weak and willing accomplice and the powers that stand behind him. Though the evil one temporarily has a claim on this present world in all its rebellion and brokenness, he has no claim on Jesus. Yet Jesus willingly accepts the path of the cross so that the same world might know that he loves the Father. Jesus tells his disciples all this before it occurs, so that when it does take place they might believe. That is the true source of both our peace and our joy no matter what the outward circumstances of our life may be.
How can you choose not to let your heart be troubled or afraid today?