Scripture:
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
Observation:
Jesus is about to walk into the Garden of Getsemane when he spoke these words. He talks about giving us peace as a gift right before the most terrifying moment of His life. This is important to understand because “peace” is one of the most misunderstood blessings we have. Jesus left us with peace of mind and heart. This means that we don’t have to make worse-case scenarios in our mind when going through a situation. We can focus in the best-case scenarios and believe in the power of God to work in our lives. It also means that in our heart we can suppress unhealthy emotions and release healthy ones. When we are going through a difficulty, our emotions will determine our attitude facing that situation. Jesus says that He has giving us a peace that will prevent us form being troubled or afraid. Yet, this passage is all in the context of receiving the Holy Spirit. This peace is a gift that the Holy Spirit brings with His presence and glory.
Application:
When Jesus walks into the Garden where Judas would give him away, He was terrified and afraid. This is the beginning of a series of sufferings and trials that will end up in his crucifixion. Is He being a good example of putting this gift of peace into practice? If Jesus is truly give away this peace, why he walks into the Garden without it? Well, first of all, Jesus reveals that He shares fully our humanity. In spite of all the blessings we have in God, our human nature will respond naturally with fear when facing a difficulty. The peace of God doesn’t make us immune to the troubles of this world. We will be troubled and afraid. But the peace of God saves us form staying that way. Jesus did not remain troubled and afraid all the way to the cross. His fears and troubles where left at the garden as He walks into the hands of His assassins with peace in His mind and His heart.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for helping me to understand the peace you give me as a gift. Thank you for being so generous and for allowing me to see how your peace is supposed to work in my human nature. Please help me to get rid of my troubles and fears as your peace floods my mind and heart. Let me walk full of your Spirit as I face situations where I normally become troubled and afraid. Amen!
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