“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” John 14:27 (NASB)
The hymn-writer Joseph Scriven wrote, “Oh, what peace we often forfeit, of what needless pain we bear.” Isn’t that true? Just hours before Jesus was crucified, He was concerned for the peace of his followers. His work in the next twenty-four hours following these words would make that peace a reality. The message for us is this: in the midst of external chaos you can have internal peace.
His peace is a gift to us. We can’t earn it. We can’t buy it. We simply receive it.
“I am leaving you with a gift – a peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 (TLB)
Christ is the exclusive source of peace. Seven hundred years before He was born, the prophet Isaiah foretold that He would be called the Prince of Peace.
(Jesus) said unto the sea, ‘Peace! Be Still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39 (ESV)
He is the source of peace and it is out of this world. The world cannot give it. “…not as the world gives do I give to you.” This isn’t a pseudo peace; this is perfect peace.
“Peace I leave with you; My (perfect) peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. (Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.)” John 14:27 (AMP)
Jesus did not want our hearts to be troubled or fearful. Whatever circumstances of life we face, we can have this wonderful tranquillity, this sense of calmness and confidence in God. Reread the words, “Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.” It’s a peace that will calm the heart in every situation, in every circumstance, in every storm of life. Or as Paul said:
May the Lord of peace Himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 (NLT)