John 14-16: When Your World Explodes
Jesus knew, the night before his death, that the disciples' world was about to be blown to pieces. He would be arrested, tried, and crucified. They'd committed themselves to Jesus and he would be gone. In this powerful message, Jesus prepared the disciples to live in peace and spiritual power when the world around them was falling apart.We will take the next three weeks delving into this passage.
Today's Reading: John 14:27-31
27 “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 28 You have heard me tell you, ‘I am going away and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens so that when it does happen you may believe. 30 I will not talk with you much longer, because the ruler of the world is coming. He has no power over me. 31 On the contrary, so that the world may know that I love the Father, I do as the Father commanded me.
“Get up; let’s leave this place.
Through the Bible Readings: Job 29-30, Romans 1, Psalm 92:1–3, Proverbs19:28–29
If you wish to read through the Bible in a year, follow these readings.
Devotional:
There are two possibilities related to this verse. Either Jesus was completely nuts or he was onto something that was amazing and that the vast majority, even among the redeemed, have never figured out. Remember, the disciples were about to have their lives blown apart completely when Jesus was arrested, tried, and crucified. Even when he rose from the dead, he would only be with them a few more days until he was taken up into heaven and they were left standing and staring into the sky. These men who thought they were going to be Jesus' generals and cabinet ministers when he took over as the ruler of Israel. Now, they would be alone and shell-shocked.
To these men, Jesus said, "I give you peace," and he told them not to be troubled or fearful. Put yourself in their place. I can tell you that if it was me, I could check off the list. Peaceful? Uh, no. Troubled? You betcha. Fearful? Absolutely. The people that killed Jesus were not happy with them. They had every reason to be troubled and fearful and no reason at all to be at peace.
How could Jesus offer these men (and women too) peace knowing what was coming into their lives the next day? Was he offering them false hope or did he genuinely have a "peace that surpasses understanding" that would guard their hearts and their minds? Of course, we believe Jesus spoke the truth and offered them a genuine peace. It was based on many factors, but two are constant truths in the Farewell Discourse.
First, our God can be trusted in this world even when we cannot see what lies ahead. We are called to trust him, even when the storms rage and life is beyond comprehension. Circumstances will often tell us that God has forgotten us or abandoned us but he has not. He is here with us, guiding us even when we cannot see it or understand it.
Second, the internal ministry of the Holy Spirit is the key to peace. Jesus did not leave for heaven and say, "Do your best to find peace." He sent his Spirit to dwell in us and give us peace. We have the internal presence of God's Spirit reminding us that we belong to God and empowering us to endure through whatever comes. That is the source of "peace that passes understanding."
This has been a difficult few months, hasn't it? Who knows what the rest of 2020 will bring? But we have our faith in a sovereign, loving God and the presence of the Spirit within us to provide a peace that is supernatural, that is not dependent on circumstances. Trust him!
Father, thank you for your sovereign plan which carries me through the dark times of life, even when I cannot see what is happening in this world. Thank you for your Spirit who indwells and empowers me.
Think and Pray:
Do you have the peace of God in your life?
Do you live according to your circumstances, or by the truths of God's word?
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