John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
In the year 2000, in a remote area of northeast England, Stuart and Mary Manley, owners of Barter Books, were sorting through a box of used books bought at auction when they uncovered one of the original “Keep Calm and Carry On” posters that were printed in 1939 at the beginning of WWII. The iconic saying was designed to encourage the British “stiff upper lip” stoicism in the face of their country’s extreme crisis. Framing and hanging the print behind the cash register drew so much attention from customers that the owners decided to produce and sell copies and the rest, as they say, is history.
As believers, we don’t need a poster to remind us to stay calm or to be at peace—Jesus IS our peace. In our verse today, Jesus is preparing His disciples for the time that was coming when He would leave them. In a way, what He was declaring was His last will and testament. He wasn’t leaving them anything that the world could give them but, rather, it was something intangible—His peace. And then He comforted them by telling them not to be afraid.
We can take great comfort in His words, as well, knowing that the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in our hearts. His peace has taken a defensive position, like a sentry, to guard our hearts against fear and Jesus promises so much more:
• In Jesus we can experience the peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds. Phil.4:7.
• In Jesus we can have the fruit of peace. Gal. 5:22.
• By what Jesus has done for us we can have peace with God. Rom. 5:1.
• Jesus reminds us, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
The world will never provide the peace our hearts long for—only Jesus will. If He were here with us today, I can imagine Him saying, “Keep Calm and take heart! I’m on guard!”
Father in heaven, we praise You for providing a way for us to have peace with You through Your Son, Jesus. We are reminded that Jesus came to this fallen world not to usher in a peace that reigns in a political sense but a peace that reigns in a personal sense, in our hearts. Thank you, Father, for the gift of Jesus. ”Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. “ 2 Thess 3:16. And it is in the name of the Prince of Peace that we pray. Amen.
~ painting by Timothy Stanford
