Jesus Gives Peace John 14:16-31; 16:23-33

“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” (Jn. 14:27, NASB).

It is Christmas time again, a time when we think about peace. The people of the world desire to have peace. This is true of people groups and individual persons. Christmas is a time when people seek ways to have peace in their lives for a season; even for just one day, Christmas Day. People go out of their way to have peace during the Christmas season. There are parties to make people feel better, physically, mentally, and emotionally. People go out of their way to get along with people that they do not like; people that are hostile towards them. For a season and especially for one day people try to get along with each other.

However, at the same time there are people that do not have peace within themselves. Because of various situations and circumstances Christmas is a time of sadness, depression, loneliness, and feelings of hopelessness. Why is this true? It is because the Christmas season and Christmas Day do not change the things that people are experiencing in their life. Thousands of people will experience for the first time Christmas without mother, father, sister, brother, spouse, and other family members and friends. Last year there was plenty of money in the home. This year unemployment means lack of funds to buy gifts. Last Christmas Day the children enjoyed the annual Christmas celebration at their parents’ and grandparents’ home. This year their parents are gone to be with the Lord. In spite of life’s difficulties there is hope for peace, not for the Christmas season only, but for every day in all situations and circumstances. Today’s article helps us to see that the scriptures point to Jesus as the one that gives peace.

When Jesus is born in Bethlehem of Judea the angel announce to shepherds watching their flock by night that a Savior is born. The angel says, “For today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Lk. 2:11, NASB). “And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased’” (Lk. 2:13-14, NASB). It is 2000 years since this announcement is made, but the world does not enjoy peace although people sincerely seek peace. What is peace? Why does humankind fail to have peace? How can we achieve peace? What do the angel and the heavenly multitude have in mind when they praise God for the Savior that brings peace?

In the gospels the Greek word for peace is “eirene.” It refers to peace with outside hostile forces. These include hostilities between nations, racial groups, political parties, economic rivals, and any two people or any two groups that contend for the same resources. Peace is the absent of hostile actions between rival parties. Sometimes people agree to a truce for a period of time. During the Viet Nam war a truce or cease fire agreement was made to stop all acts of combat for a few days during the Christmas season. After the cease fire period ended war resumed.

Another meaning of “eirene” has to do with peace within the individual. Peace means peace of mind, and tranquility arising from reconciliation with God and a sense of divine favor. Thus, peace has to do with a person’s state of mind. Peace has to do with what one thinks of self, their circumstances, and the feelings that they experience in their life. As stated above, Christmas, while a joyous occasion for many people, is also a time of anxiety, fear, and despair for others. The scriptures inform us that the Savior that the angel announced 2000 years ago is the source of all peace regardless of the reason for chaos in human life.

When the angel announces the Savior (Lk. 2:13-14) the message is that peace comes to those among whom God’s favor rest. Thus, peace is achieved by persons that are approved by God. In the book of Romans Paul writes that sin keeps the human race from achieving peace (Rms. 3:10-18). Paul writes, “And the path of peace they have not known” (v. 17). Our failure to achieve peace is solely because humankind seeks to achieve peace in their ways; without any acknowledgement of God. “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (v. 18). Sin is the great barrier that separates human being from God. Our separation from God keeps us from the truth that is known only to those who submit to God. God alone can unite diverse people groups into one. This unity among people is made possible for those that believe in Jesus Christ, obey His commands; abide in Him through the power of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 150. Sin causes people to seek their own way for what they perceive to be best for them. Thus any effort to bring peace between competing parties is futile.

We live in a world in which it seems that there is an increase in the number of people that live with chaos instead of peace in their life. I suppose one might argue that things are really no worse than in years before. It is just that media and social media makes it possible for things to be made known more widely and at a faster pace. On the other hand some hold that media and social media contribute to the stress that people experience in their life. There is the problem of cyber bullying that causes anxiety and fear; especially among young people. Media is the means by which scam artists deceive people into making decisions that they end up regretting. Through the media and social media people are told both truth and lies and often one does not know the difference. Thus, media contributes to our anxieties and our fears. The message that Jesus gives to His disciples is that while the world offers tribulations and fear, He gives them peace.

John 13-17 records conversations between Jesus and His disciples. John 13:34-35 records Jesus’ command to His disciples to love one another. If they love one another the world will know that they are His disciples. John 14-16 records Jesus’ teachings designed to prepare the disciples for ministry after His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the Father. Jesus is leaving them, but He will send the comforter, the Holy Spirit, to live in them so that they will have the necessary power to do the work that He is giving them to do. Jesus knows that they are a minute group of men (and women) that will face a hostile world as they tell the good news about the savior. They will have reasons to experience anxiety, fear, doubt, frustration, and despair. On their own strength they will not be able to stand against the opposition that will come their way. Through the Holy Spirit they will have the comfort and assurance that Jesus is always with them. Because they know that Jesus is always present with them they have the power and the boldness to carry out the commission that Jesus gives to them.

John 17 records Jesus’ prayer for all that believe in Him. This prayer is for believers then and now and for everyone everywhere that will become one with Jesus and the Father. Before Jesus offers this prayer the writer records these final words to the disciples. “‘These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (Jn. 16:33, NASB). If you believe the words of Jesus, you can have the peace that Jesus gives.