DEVOTION – DAY 611

John 14:27 “The Lord’s Peace

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.”

Amongst Jews, it is common to greet each other with the word “Shalom” or peace. In v27 above, Jesus used this word “peace” in a different way. Most people would want to wish each other “peace” as a greeting to express a longing or a hope. But the “peace” that Jesus offers is real and present. When Jesus wishes us “peace, it means that because of His redemptive work on the cross, Jesus had saved all believers from judgment and death for their sins. Jesus has restored believers to a total well-being and inner rest for their human spirit and they are now able to fellowship and have a relationship with the Living God. Thus, all true peace is Jesus’ gift to Christians. And the repetition of the word “peace” in v27 emphasizes this fact. Thus, with Jesus Christ in our lives, we have nothing to be worried or fearful about.

I know someone who was a Buddhist. He was always aware of his need to do good deeds so that he could get more merits. The more merits he thought he could earn, the better will be his reincarnation. The problem was he did not know how much merits he needed. He was always striving and never felt settled or at rest. Something was always missing. One day, a Christian listened to his concerns and offered to pray for him. His friend also shared the gospel with this man explaining that God offers salvation – eternal peace and security to all would place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior – and on nothing else. God knows that our merits and good deeds would never be enough because our standards of holiness are just too low compared to the holiness of the Living God. The gospel caused this man to reassess his beliefs and he invited Jesus into his life as his Lord and Savior. He is now at peace because he has the peace that Christ has given him.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you because you are the Prince of Peace. We thank you for giving us your gift of eternal salvation and your peace that transcends all understanding. Please help us obey all your ways all the days of our lives. In Jesus Christ precious name we pray. Amen.

Questions

  1. On what do you rely on to ensure you will be accepted by God as part of His family?
  2. Why must we be accepted by God on the basis of faith in Christ alone?
  3. Share when and how you came to receive Jesus Christ into your life as your Lord and Savior?