John 14:27 Peace
“Peace I leave with you, My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge]” (AMP).
Jesus was speaking with His disciples at the last supper. By this time, He had told them that one of them would betray Him, and Judas had left to commit the betrayal. His disciples certainly sensed that something serious was about to happen, although they did not know how serious. He had also told them the Father would be sending them the Holy Spirit, who would remind them of all the things that Jesus had said to them. It wasn’t long until they needed this peace, for when they left, they went to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus was betrayed. They scattered, and Peter was soon to deny that he even knew Jesus. The crucifixion was just a few days away. The disciples had good reason to be afraid, for their leader had been arrested and crucified. They could be next. A reading of the Scriptures leads me to believe that Jesus’ disciples did not have the peace He had left them until after they saw Him after His resurrection. Some might say, “But they should have had peace because they had been with Jesus for three years, had seen Him perform many miracles, and had heard Him preach the Gospel.” If I had witnessed, what they had witnessed at Calvary, would I have had peace? Would you have had peace?
But I wasn’t in their situation. I know that He arose. I should have the peace that Jesus has given us. Right? Sometimes it takes us a while to receive the peace that Jesus has given. Sometimes I have to reread this passage before I truly have peace. And when I reread it and contemplate it and remember that Jesus said it and remember that Jesus never told a lie, then I receive His peace. Then His peace calms me as I thank Him and praise Him. Thank you, Jesus, for giving us your peace, and thank you, Father God, for sending Jesus and for sending the Holy Spirit.