John 14:27-29
Introduction: After telling the disciples the devastating news that He would be leaving them soon, Jesus now tells the disciples that they should rejoice, not be so upset for one day He will return.
As we will learn from this passage, Jesus gives lasting peace, eternal peace, not the temporal peace given by the world.
Let us examine the peace that only Jesus can give and learn how peace is a part of His character.
What about the peace that Jesus can give?
1. He can give Everlasting Peace (vs. 27-29).
A. Jesus told the disciples that He was going away, but that He would one day return and receive them unto Himself (John 1:1-3).
B. Now Jesus tells the disciples that rather than being upset they should be at peace, and that if they would believe in Him and what He has told them about leaving and returning, they would rejoice rather than be upset (vs. 27-28).
C. As Jesus told the disciples about His promise being true in verse 2, He once again told them to trust in what He was telling them, so that when it comes to pass, their faith would be made stronger (vs. 29).
2. He can speak the word of Peace (Mark 4:35-39).
A. Jesus had just shared parables concerning the Kingdom of God, and He and the disciples had now entered into a boat and were crossing to the other side (vs. 35-36).
B. While Jesus slept, there arose a great storm, the wind was fierce, the waves were large and beat against the ship, and the disciples were afraid that the ship would soon sink. Out of desperation the disciples came to Jesus and woke Him up expressing to Him their fear about perishing in the storm, and they even questioned if He cared for their lives or not (vs. 37-38).
C. Jesus then rose up and after looking around, He rebuked the wind and the sea, with a statement, "Peace, be still." Amazingly the wind stopped blowing and the waves calmed down (vs. 39). Jesus can give peace, but He also can speak and there was peace.
3. He can bring Peace to a world of Turmoil (Luke 2:8-14).
A. At the time of Jesus' birth, there were shepherds out in the country fields watching over their flocks during the night (vs. 8).
B. Suddenly the angel of the Lord, and the glory of the Lord was brightly seen around them, and they were very afraid (vs. 9).
C. The angel said to the shepherds to not be afraid, for they were to receive a wonderful announcement, and this announcement would bring great joy to all the people (vs. 10).
D. The announcement was the birth of the Messiah, the Savior of the world, Who was born in the City of David or Bethlehem (vs. 11).
E. So they would know which child was the Messiah, they were given a sign and that sign was that they would find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, and He would be lying in a manger (vs. 12).
F. Suddenly, more angels appeared until they had a host of angels which were praising God and they had another great announcement to deliver, and this announcement was through the child being born in Bethlehem, God would be glorified, and the earth would receive peace, like it had never known before Him. His peace would bring good will toward all mankind. Of course, they were speaking of the peace with God that only Jesus can provide as He made His sin sacrifice for mankind (vs. 13-14).
4. He will bring peace to all Who Know Him (Galatians 1:1-5).
A. Paul addressed himself to the Galatians as an apostle, not one called by men or through the position of man, but he was an apostle by Jesus Christ, and the Father, Who raised Jesus from the dead (vs. 1).
B. Paul was addressing this letter to all of his brothers who not only traveled with him, but also those who were members of the churches throughout Galatia (vs. 2).
C. Paul pronounced upon each of these the Christian graces, which were blessings from Jesus Himself. Among these blessings were grace and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ (vs. 3)
D. Paul then from that point shares with the Galatians, how peace came about with God, and that was through the sacrifice of Jesus for our sins and to Him should be glory for ever and ever (vs. 4-5).
5. He can Pronounce Peace upon all Who Come to Him in Faith (Luke 8:43-48).
A. There was once a woman who had a blood disease for twelve years, and she had spent all of her life savings trying to be healed, but there was no physician who could heal her (vs. 43).
B. One day she decided to go and if she could just touch the hem of the garment of Jesus, she knew she would be healed. She came behind Jesus and she touched the border of the garment of Jesus and immediately the disease was cured (vs. 44).
C. Jesus perceived that someone had touched Him with faith. Jesus asked who it was that touched Him, and Peter and the others with Jesus knew that the street being small the throng of people no doubt had pressed upon Him and bumped into Him. Jesus then spoke to them all and told them that it was not the pressing upon Him or the bumping into Him that He was questioning, it was the intentional touch upon Him in faith that He was asking about (vs. 45-46).
D. When the woman realized that what she had done was noticed, and that she could not hide her deed, she fell down before the people. She then declared to all the people the reason she was there and how she was healed immediately after touching the hem or border of Jesus' garment (vs. 47).
E. Jesus then came to her and told her not to be upset any longer, that her faith had cured her, and He then told her to depart in peace. The peace that only Jesus can bring into a life that once held so much suffering (vs. 48).
Conclusion: Yes, peace is not only a gift that Jesus can give, He can also speak and peace comes. Jesus brought peace into a world where peace was previously unknown, and through Him all people can come to know peace. Jesus can also pronounce peace upon those who come to Him in faith, and He can bring peace even into your life. Will you come to Jesus and learn, not the temporal peace that we so often encounter, but will you come to Jesus and receive the peace that will last for all of eternity?
