In John 13 and following, we read Jesus talk with his disciples right before He was to be crucified. Here, the disciples were still not sure what Jesus was doing. They expected Him to still set up His kingdom with them there and then – and they didn’t quite understand all about Him being crucified, so He goes into what some have referred to as the Upper Room Discourse, to tell them what was about to happen.
In verse 27 He tells them, “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.” Note Jesus says it’s NOT the same kind of peace that the world would try to give or seek after…His peace is different. You see, the world refers to peace as the absence of any problems or troubles. Where, God’s peace is the knowledge and comfort that God is in control even in the MIDST of problems and troubles.
This world’s peace doesn’t really exist. People keep seeking after it, and they may find it for a brief moment or so, but then it gets shattered by some new thing that comes along and destroys their peace. The peace that God gives us, can’t be shattered as long as we keep our hearts and minds focused in the right direction – ON HIM!
If we look at chapter 14 of John, we find as Jesus continues instructing His disciples that He warns them – there is GOING to be trouble and problems. ““If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.” (John 14:18-21)
Wait a minute….Hatred? Persecution??? I thought He just told them He was giving them peace??? Yes, peace that overcomes EVERYTHING. Peace in the MIDDLE of troubles, not the peace in the absence of troubles. Remember Isaiah 26:3, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” You want to experience peace even during the difficult and painful times of this life? Keep your mind focused on God. Remember that HE IS GOD and that HE has EVERYTHING under control. When He ALONE becomes the focus of our lives, THEN and ONLY THEN can we truly know PEACE!
I have SO found that to be true during these past few weeks with the sickness and death of my father. I have known the peace that surpasses all understanding – it is found in God. The world around us may say “How can you find peace in a time like that?” They don’t understand it, because it’s not a peace that is only found in the absence of difficulty, it is a REAL peace that is constantly in our hearts, even in the midst of pain and trials.