My peace I give to you

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Let's parse through this verse and see what Jesus is giving us and teaching us.

First, He says He gives us His peace.

This Greek word for peace means a bit more than we think of in English.

The word "describes wholeness, harmony, and well-being granted by God."

Some will say it means prosperity, and it does, in the sense that you are whole and complete.

Not necessarily financial richness, but richness in life and in heart and soul.

While God does bless us financially, we must make sure we do not see everything through the lens of money and wealth.

So, the peace Jesus leaves us is a deep wholeness in our life.

Where we do not lack, because we have God who provides all we need.

We are at harmony and peace with our Creator.

We are assured of Heaven and eternal life.

Our life has purpose in the Gospel.

And we have guidance from God's word.

We are richly supplied for this life.

This brings peace, a feeling of usefulness and purpose.

It also gives us blessing and reminds us that God loves us.

The Lord is on our side; He is for us and intends good for us.

We can trust in His providence to help us in this life.

All of this is the peace Jesus gives us.

And probably more that I'm not thinking of.

Notice He does not give to us like the world.

The things of the world are temporary; they are here today and gone tomorrow.

The world is not eternal and cannot give everlasting things.

It can only give temporary pleasures.

Momentary gladness.

everything in the world, of this world, decays.

True eternal joy is found only in the peace Jesus gives us.

And Jesus will not take that peace away.

Once He gives us something, it ours forever.

The world will give us something today, then take it away tomorrow.

Again, it is not consistent or moral.

If you think of the world as society, then this is especially true.

Society is very fickle and inconsistent and immoral.

Finally, Jesus tells us this.

"Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

This part is up to us.

We must keep the peace He has given us.

Do not let our circumstances or fears take hold of us and spoil that peace.

Jesus is telling us we CAN do this.

The Lord never tells us to do something we can't do.

He has given us this peace, this wholeness and encouragement to trust in Him.

We have nothing to fear in this life.

These temporary circumstances and hardships pale in comparison to the rewards of following Jesus.

We can choose to not let these things trouble us.

We can choose to resist fear, to not give in.

We may still experience fear, but we do not need to give in to it.

Grab that peace from Jesus.

Claim it and hold onto it.

Don't give it up.

Don't let the temporary things of this life keep you from that peace.

Jesus gave it to us for a reason.

To help us through those hard times.

Keep this peace by trusting in the Lord.

Pray, let Him know your worries, your troubles.

God will respond on your behalf.