Peace Pt. 2

John 16:5-15, 25-33

We’ve talked about how when we give up control, we can have peace knowing that Jesus is in control, but today I want to talk about the One who has given us peace.

In John 16, Jesus is talking to His disciples about leaving to be with the Father and leaving them with His Spirit. It could not have been easy to hear that their friend and teacher was leaving, in fact many of them most likely did not believe it to be true at the time. Just like the uncertainties of our world that feel hard to comprehend, it was hard for them to believe that it was better that Jesus left. Jesus talks about how the Spirit would come to guide them, convict them, and glorify the Father. How comforting to know that there is a Spirit inside us that guides, convicts, and glorifies the Father. This means the Spirit never leaves us. Sure the disciples did everything with Jesus when he walked the earth, but we are not attached to humans as we are to the Spirit. With twelve disciples and countless other followers, Jesus couldn’t have walked right beside each one and spoken/listened to each one at all times. Yet the Spirit inside us is always with us, in the celebrations, tribulations, and everything in between. Jesus even warns them of facing tribulation, but promises them peace through overcoming the world (John 16:33).

Through the greatest tragedy the world has ever known, Jesus brought peace to us. Through his suffering, we were saved and through His resurrection, we were restored to Him and given peace through the Holy Spirit. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). Our deserved punishment was put on Him and that is how we receive our peace. To God be all the glory, that He would send His only Son to take on the sins of the world, so that we could experience the peace of being in relationship with Him. Jesus is the true source of peace in this world! We won’t find peace anywhere else in the world, except through Him (Ephesians 2:14). We were all at one point separated from Jesus and counted as enemies to God, but the good news is that we are all given access to His peace through repenting and believing. “He came and preached peace to those who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit” (Ephesians 2:17-18). His message of peace is for all of us and is something that we can be assured through the Spirit.

Remind yourself of the Gospel and how that should bring us peace. Ask the Spirit to guide and convict you and let the assurance of never leaving you, bring you peace.

“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with you all” (2 Thessalonians 3:16). Go in the peace freely given to you.