John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
Today’s Scripture falls within Jesus’ Farewell Discourse, as He prepares Himself and His disciples for His passion and exaltation. His hour has come, and the time for Him to glorify the Father—and be glorified—has arrived (12:27). However, while Jesus has shown that He will perfectly obey His Father’s will, His disciples cannot yet understand all that He has told them. This causes much confusion and discomfort among them, as they cannot yet comprehend why He must die and return to the Father—precipitating the words of Jesus that we have just read.
In these words, Jesus is communicating that fear and confusion at His impending death and exaltation are inappropriate, for these are the very actions that will secure peace with God for all who believe in Him. Therefore, through the Advocate (the Holy Spirit)—whom the Father will send in His name upon His ascension and return to glory, believers may also experience the peace of God promised in Scripture.
Jesus tells us that only He can give us true peace, for His peace is the peace of God—and it is available for us to experience today. Why? Because our Mighty God and Prince of Peace has secured peace with God for us through His incarnation, life and ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension. So today, how will you invite the Holy Spirit to give you this peace?
Ethan Okken
Pray
- Pray for our NAB ministry partners: Lyndell Campbell Requia, Paulo Requiem, Chain of Love, Nick, Iris, NAB Conference, Yuri Nakano, New Dawn Initiatives, Randy Schmor.