Readings for today: John 14-17
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.” (John 14:27 CSB)
Peace is so elusive in our world. No matter how hard we try. No matter how many resources we throw at it. No matter how many organizations we form or how much political, social, and economic pressure we bring to bear. Peace remains forever beyond our grasp. At best, we can achieve the cessation of hostilities for a period of time. A ceasefire agreement. A demilitarized zone. But true peace, the peace Jesus offers, simply cannot be achieved through human effort. How else can one explain human history? The ubiquitous violence in every culture, tribe, and nation? The immense suffering of so many people over the years and the callousness of those in power? How else can one explain the technological advances in military warfare? We deploy weapons that can literally kill hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people in an instant. And the crazy thing is it’s all in the name of peace. Peace achieved through mutually assured destruction.
And what about the peace that comes through shared prosperity? Equal access to opportunity and resources? Housing security? Food security? The physical security that comes through living in safe communities. What about the peace that comes from physical and mental and emotional health? The rights all of us have to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? One would think humanity might have figured out how to create peace after thousands of years and lots of trial and error when it comes to learning how to order a society for the common good. Sadly, we seem no closer to peace now than we’ve ever been.
And that’s why I lift up Jesus’ words today. He offers us a peace that is not of this world. A peace that doesn’t depend on this world. A peace that is not achieved through the resources of this world. A peace that passes all human understanding. A peace that guards our hearts and minds no matter what we may be going through. A peace that makes us immune to fear and anxiety and worry. A peace that comes to us from heaven. From Jesus’ own Father. A peace Jesus Himself prays over us in His high priestly prayer in John 17. A peace Jesus wins for us through His sacrificial death on the cross.
The peace Jesus offers is the peace of heaven. And it’s only available to those who believe in Him. It is a gift from Jesus to those who follow Him, those who trust Him. It is a peace Jesus offers to His family. His brothers and sisters. Those who’ve been redeemed by His blood. It is an eternal peace. A lasting peace. A complete peace. A peace that brings an end to all alienation. A peace that heals every division. A peace that tears down every wall of hostility. This is the peace Jesus promises to leave with us and give to us if we will but turn to Him.
Readings for tomorrow: No devotional readings on Sundays