Jesus - Our Peace

Text: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace” (John 16:33).

These words that Jesus spoke seem to be very clear to me. I don’t know how one could misinterpret what He said. Man has been looking for peace since the beginning of time. Why has he not found it? Is it so difficult to find? Is it hidden somewhere beyond man’s reach?

Some people look for peace in a bottle while others seek it in a pill or a tablet. An accumulation of material possessions does not bring peace. A position or job that provides one with an average or higher than average income does not being peace. Godly peace cannot be acquired through injection from a hypodermic syringe.

What is “peace”? Peace is a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son. The Psalmist said, “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).

Our God is a Mighty God and a powerful God. He is the ONE who controls everything He created. He controls nature as demonstrated in the Great Flood. He is the One who raised Christ from the dead.

He is the One who can and will take care of every problem we will ever have. The same power He has used in the past He can use today. His power is available to us.

God provides us with peace when He moves us from the life of darkness into the life of light or from death into life. His peace comes to us when we repent of our sins, claim Him as our personal Lord and Savior and accept the gift of salvation. He gives us peace and eternal joy when we are at the lowest point in life and all seems hopeless.

When we are united with Jesus, we are at peace. The Holy Spirit has infiltrated our heart forming a vital contact point with Almighty God.

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27) The Holy Spirit living within our heart provides us with a peace that is deeper and more lasting than we can possible imagine.

This peace provides us with positive confidence that will enable us to survive any trial and tribulation that comes our way. This peace will give us the assurance that there is no valley too deep and no river to wide that we cannot cross. The peace of God will take away all fear, worry and stress we may encounter.

This is the peace Paul was talking about when he wrote these words to the people of Philippi: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6, 7).

True peace does not come about by merely thinking positively or being a positive thinker. True peace is not just a good feeling. True peace does not come from believing we are in control, but true peace comes from knowing that God the Father is still on the throne and that He is still in control.

True peace is knowing that this earthly life is merely a journey or a trip. True peace is knowing that we have a destiny or future and that future is a place with God in His mansion of many rooms. True peace is knowing this life is not the end, but just a stepping stone to a greater and higher place in His kingdom.

Billy Graham shares this example of peace: “The sea was beating against the rocks in huge dashing waves. The lightning was flashing, the thunder was roaring, the wind was blowing; but the little bird was asleep in the crevice of the rock, its head serenely under its wing, sound asleep.

This is peace – to be able to sleep in the storm! In Christ, we are relaxed and at peace in the midst of the confusions, bewilderments, and perplexities of this life. The storm rages, but our hearts are at rest. We have found peace – at last!”

If man has found peace, why is there fighting and unrest throughout the world? There is discord and unrest in many families because of broken relationships. There is hostility between family members. There are disagreements with neighbors and friends. There is war in many parts of the world.

The weekend of December 7, 1941, started out to be another routine weekend. The aircraft carriers were at dockside and the crews were enjoying the day with rest and relaxation. The sky was clear, the sun was shining and the weather was beautiful. This was a perfect picture of peace, but something happened that brought disaster into the lives of many people.