My Peace I Give unto You

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. - John 14:27

    “Peace be to you” was the Jewish salutation (1 Sam. 25:5-6). Under that statement they included all manner of good to their friends, both when they met them or when they departed from them. Our Lord, about to depart from his disciples and return to the Father, said, “Peace I leave .with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

    This peace Christ gives is his peace, which the world can never bestow, no matter how often they say, “Peace be to you.” It is, “Peace, peace; when there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14); for the peace of the world is at best external and only temporary. It fades as the dew of the morning and the leaves before the blast of winter. The peace he made through the blood of his cross and based on the sure promises of his word is in the heart, eternal, and will strengthen, comfort, and sustain his people through any time or trial. Therefore, he tells the twelve, “Do not be troubled at my departure nor be afraid of the dangers and trials you face, for in the midst of it and for the length of your days you have my presence and my peace.”