Scripture Lesson: John 14:27-28
27Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 28Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
Meditation
The word “peace” used here is from the Greek word “eirēnē” which means security, safety, and prosperity. This is similar to the Hebrew word for peace “shalowm” which means completeness, safety, soundness (in body), welfare, health, prosperity, quiet, tranquility, and contentment. In this time of preparation, Jesus comforts his closest friends with this pronouncement of peace.
He further instructs them not to let their hearts be troubled. They were more than troubled. The disciples were scared. They did not understand what was going on. As we have said before, Jesus was again talking about leaving. Was this part of the plan? How could Jesus talk of leaving? There was so much left undone. It just did not make sense. They asked Jesus to explain it to them but his words did not make sense at this time. They would just have to trust Him.
This is where we find ourselves today. Sometimes things just don’t make sense. Why are they acting this way? How could they release me from my job? How do they expect me to make it? And of course, one of the hardest questions, why did this person have to die? What do we do when we are bombarded with these questions and the answers we get from God make no sense to us?
We must allow our hearts and minds to be engulfed in the peace that Jesus gives. We are to trust and depend on this peace to help us make it through. We must work hard to not allow our hearts to be troubled or afraid. Jesus goes one step further and tells them that if they loved Him, then would rejoice because He is going to be with His Father. What an awesome and profound state of mind Jesus desired for His disciples.
As we personally deal with the recent home going of three members in the body of Christ who many of us knew, we must heed the words that Jesus spoke. Although our hearts are heavy, we must rejoice because they, just as Jesus, have gone home to be with their Father. Let our witness be the peace that Jesus has so graciously given us.
Affirmations
I choose to walk in the peace that Jesus has given to me. I will not let my heart be troubled or afraid. I know that in the peace Jesus gives there is completeness, safety, soundness, welfare, health, prosperity, tranquility, and contentment. I rejoice and I am grateful for the promise that Jesus has given me His peace. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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