"Peace I Leave with You"

“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.” (John 14:27 ESV)

Peace is a word we hear often, especially in our society today. With wars going on and the increasing threat of war, the word peace is on everyone’s tongue. In this verse, Jesus prepares His apostles for his betrayal and execution. Yet, knowing the violence to come, Jesus, who came to divide, gave His peace to His disciples so they would not be troubled.

Humanity has sought peace since the beginning of organized civilization. It has been sought but never achieved; it remains elusive. practically every peace treaty ever signed has been broken. Why is it so unattainable? Because Satan controls the world.

Peace is often defined in terms of dearth, such as “without” turmoil, or anger, “freedom from” war or fighting, and so on. This “absence of” mentality is exemplified in John Lennon’s song Imagine. Lennon imagines a place without any religion, countries, or possessions, only peace. Lennon's imagination has a lot of absence, and I am not sure it would be as wonderful as he thought.

Many people try to find peace on their own, often through worldly means. They seek it when traveling, on a beach vacation, or in shopping, perhaps why many are in such debt. Some try to find it in alcohol, drugs, sex, or some other kind of distraction. Immersing oneself in a hobby may be an attempt to find peace through escape. However, these are all fleeting and ultimately futile attempts to find true peace.

The peace that Christ speaks of is not a peace that involves absence. On the contrary, it is about a gift of enduring peace that cannot be disturbed or taken away. It is a peace that exists even though war and strife rage around you, and it is a peace you cannot attain on your own. This enduring peace is a testament to the unfailing love and grace of Christ.

The peace of Christ is given to you by Jesus. It is like the grace He gives you or God’s mercy. It cannot be bought or earned through works. The peace of Christ comes by way of one's faith in Christ. When we, through grace, place our faith in Christ as our Savior, profess Him as our Lord, repent of our sins, and are made righteous by the finished work of Jesus on the cross, we also receive His peace.

The peace of Christ will flow from you; others will see it. People will ask you how you can be so calm with all this trouble going on around you. We are this way because of our faith that God is in control and the peace of Christ helps our hearts “not to be troubled or afraid.” The apostle Paul wrote, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 ESV). We are guarded in Christ and shielded by the power of God.

Yes, in times of trouble, we will feel anxiety, upset, and other emotions that our bodies and minds produce. It is in these times that we must lean on Christ. When we do, the peace of Christ emerges and blankets us with His love and protection. Remember, Jesus Christ resides in those who have found salvation in His name.

While I'm not one for bumper stickers, there's one I've seen that holds a profound truth: No Christ, No Peace, Know Christ, Know Peace. This simple yet powerful message encapsulates the essence of finding true peace through faith in Christ.

May the grace and peace of Jesus Christ be with you.