Monday, 18th October 2021. Jesus gives peace to His disciples, to believers.
Text: John 14:23-31.
Chapters 13:31 to 16:33 are termed as Jesus’ Upper Room Discourse. Jesus is about to be arrested, and this section records His last formal instruction to His disciples. The Lord has told them He will be leaving them, and He has said that He will be crucified. So, they are certainly very anxious. But Jesus promises to give them peace in the midst of the distress. When the world gives peace, it is only superficial and has no real substance, because the world’s peace does not include God. Christ’s peace does not mean that the trouble goes away. Christ’s peace means that His people can be calm and assured of God’s care in the midst of the stress, just like Jesus sleeping on the boat in the midst of the storm (Mark 4:38).
At that time, the Lord’s disciples were facing a lot of persecution and uncertainty. Perhaps you are facing opposition from family, friends, colleagues, or perhaps none at all. But life is full of uncertainty. No one can know the difficulties that are coming. Be assured that Christ’s promise of peace is also for us, His present-day disciples. It is just as good as it was two thousand (2000) years ago. Jesus has not changed.
But if you are not spending time with the Lord in prayer, reading His Scriptures, and meditating on God’s Word, then you will not be able to experience His peace, the Lord’s peace. Please, for your peace of mind amid distress, and for God’s glory, spend time with the Lord.
Meditate on verses 25-27. What is God teaching you in these verses?
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who helps me find solace in You always. Amen.
