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)

These words spoken by Jesus to those who had followed him for a period of about three years come just hours away from the cross. In a very short time, Jesus would be arrested, tried, beaten, mocked, humiliated, and condemned to die on a Roman cross. As we continue reading through the accounts of the crucifixion, we notice the peace that Jesus seems to possess through the whole ordeal. We watch as he walks out to meet the mob sent to arrest him. We hear him tell Peter to put away the sword and remind him that this is the purpose for which he came. We listen to his conversations with Pilate, confident of his identity and certain that the Father would set things right. We notice the peace that Jesus has.

This peace is what Jesus offered his followers in these words from John 14. This small band that had walked with Jesus was about to face life without him physically present with them. I have no doubt that Jesus knew the difficulties they would face, not only in the days that followed, but also in continuing to carry out the mission on which they would be sent. They would face difficult situations, determined opposition, uncertainty, and difficult decisions. Following Jesus did not exempt them from trouble. In fact, it would often lead to trouble and conflict with the world around them. Jesus knew they needed the peace he offered.

Following Jesus does not exempt us from trouble. It does not make us immune to the troubles, pains, sorrows, and difficulties of this life. We face opposition and often find ourselves at odds with the world around us. We deal with difficult decisions, tensions, and conflict. It can all seem overwhelming and what we want is peace.

The world around us tries to convince us that it has the answers to our need for peace. It continually places these offers in front of us in various ways. It suggests that if we will just buy the right car, or the right house in the right neighborhood then we will have what we need and all will be well. It leads us to think that if we just find the right partner, pick the right hobby, find the right people who agree with us on everything, then peace and happiness will naturally follow. It tells us that maybe the conflict we are experiencing is the resistance to our own nature, and if we would just do whatever makes us happy then we would be at peace. Just last week millions of people lined up in various places across this country to vote for political candidates, each of whom claims to offer peace, a better life for people. The problem with any of these offers is that they will ultimately fail. The world promises peace, but is not able to make good on that promise. The world cannot provide what it doesn’t have. Peace is not found in the externals, but is a heart condition.

The promise Jesus makes to give peace is not like the promises of the world. He can provide what he promises. It is Jesus who has the ability to change the heart. We were created for relationship. We were created for closeness with God and when we are separated from him, peace is missing. It’s not that God has moved; it is our sin, our rebellion that has moved us away from him and our quest for peace is a cry for reconciliation. Jesus makes that possible. Because of what God has done in Jesus we can be reconciled to God. We can be confident of our identity as his children, and have peace of mind that God will make everything right.

I wonder how often the words of Jesus from John 14:27 were remembered and recited by the early Christians as they faced all kinds of opposition and trouble. I wonder if when they were arrested, threatened, or watched as others were beaten or even executed, they reminded themselves and each other of the peace that Jesus provided.

I wonder if it might help us as we encounter difficulties, sorrows, pains, and tensions. Could it serve as a way to still the anxiousness, worry, and fear that we experience? Could we remember these words of Jesus and be reminded of our identity and the One who holds us in his hands?