Precious, Perplexing Peace

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

If you knew that your near future held false accusations, wrongful imprisonment, torture, and capital punishment, what emotions would you feel? Dread? Anger? Anxiety? What about peace?

Jesus knew exactly what the future held for him. He knew that he was about to endure a terrible death and that his followers on earth would face severe persecution, also often leading to death. And yet what did he tell them? He said they would find peace. It didn’t make any sense.

Well, by the world’s standards it certainly did not make sense. The world will tell you that a big house, hefty income, safety, health, good looks, and myriad other things will ultimately lead to peace.

But Jesus was looking over and beyond the world’s trifles – which can decay and get stolen (Matthew 6:20) – into the storehouses of heaven where troves overflowed with treasures that never tarnish. He also looked past the horrific earthly pains He would endure, toward the perfect, pain-free body He would receive in glory. Jesus had come to earth from his heavenly home just 33 years prior; he knew precisely what – and Who – awaited those who followed him out of the struggles of this earth into His eternal paradise (Hebrews 12:2). We have the opportunity to receive the same treasures and perfect existence in heaven!

The Apostle Paul knew this well, too. That’s why he wrote, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

Christmas is a season when we decorate our homes with lavish decorations, eat scores of decadent foods, and sip hot cocoa with our loved ones in front of a roaring fire. Many wait all year round for this moment of so-called “peace”. But when the decorations are put away, the food is gone, and the presents lie ignored on the floor, peace is gone. This is the world’s peace. It’s false and fleeting.

The peace Jesus gifted to us at his incarnation remains in our hearts and minds no matter what our circumstances: whether we’re awaiting our imminent execution, as Jesus and Paul were, or whether we’re having a hard day, or anything in between (Philippians 4:6-7). The peace of Jesus is a gift that we can experience every single moment on earth, but its source is in heaven. Jesus is already there, waiting for us to take our eyes off the petty presents and painful problems to fix our gaze on him – the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6)!

Search the Scriptures for God’s many eternal promises and spend time truly absorbing those. A few places to start: Deuteronomy 31:8, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 11:28-30, Romans 8:28.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you so very much for the many tangible blessings you have given me on earth. I enjoy hot cider and a warm blanket on a cold night, and I thank you for allowing me the opportunity to buy my loved ones nice gifts. But what I am most thankful for are the gifts you give me which money cannot buy, and that no set of circumstances could ever provide, namely “the peace…which passes all understanding” which so beautifully and effectively guards my “heart and mind in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7). I thank you for sending your Son Jesus to be born on earth, grow into a man, minister and ultimately die the death that I deserved so that I can be reconciled to you. Nothing else on earth brings me the peace that your salvation and love brings! Amen.