New International Version
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 no be afraid.
Today in our Kid’s Church we studied John 14. It brought to mind my Aunt Lee. When my cousin committed suicide, my aunt was besides herself with grief. 20 years later, she was at complete peace, absolutely the sweetest, kindest person in the world. One day, I saw her Bible that she read every day, and wanted to see what verses she had marked(hopefully to get some insight on how I could be nicer). I opened the Bible, and on the first page, it said, ‘read only John 14:1.’ ‘Wow!’ I thought. When I opened the Bible it was brand new, except for the pages of John 14:1. Those 2 pages were worn and loose in the Bible from use. There are a lot of verses in the Bible that give peace, but these were like Jesus was speaking directly to her.
The Word of God comes to us in the form of the Bible. However, the Word of God doesn’t have verses, comas, page numbers, etc. That is the way we as humans read the Word of God but the Word of God is actually Jesus, the Word Made Flesh.
The following paragraph is what Jesus says to you, taken from various parts of theBible. Want peace? Let Jesus, the Word made flesh, speak to you.
Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 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. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Everyone wants peace.
Christians, Buddhists, hippies, yippies, yuppies, Islamists, revolutionaries, politicians, billionaires, poor, blacks, whites, gays, communists, Muslim, CEOs, Generals, movie stars, Jewish people, Africans, anarchists, hermits, monks, latinos, all eventually want peace.
The problem is that they want Peace on their terms not the Prince of Peace’s terms.
If you hate, fight, argue, hold a grudge, how on earth are you ever going to have peace? It’s impossible, Jesus’ words give me peace, when I take heed.
Dean