What does Jesus teach about PEACE?
It was more of the same: The usual morning battle to persuade the sixteen year old to get in and out of the shower in under an hour. The struggle to get the seven month old fed, dressed, changed, and dressed again. The usual clash with thousands of other drivers also trying to shave minutes off their daily commute times. The mental fatigue involved with trying to figure out what went so wrong that there are separation papers in the glove box needing to be signed by Friday. The physical wars all over the world covered daily on talk radio news. It was more of the same.
As she squealed into stall number 21 five minutes late for work, the stupid bumper sticker on the Chevy in stall 20 caught her eye again as it did every day: “No Jesus no peace; Know Jesus know peace.” She scoffed to herself and then shouted out loud for all to hear, “What-EVER!” sounding a lot like her teenager.
Although the noise of life makes it difficult to have peace, this is exactly what Jesus promises, “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” (John 14:27).
Jesus’ peace most likely won’t quiet a screaming child. Jesus’ peace doesn’t guarantee a slick commute in the morning. Jesus’ peace won’t make all your problems and all the world’s conflicts fade away.
Jesus does, however, promise a peace that will quiet your heart. Knowing that Jesus came into this world to heal damaged relationships with God brings peace to a troubled soul. Knowing that Jesus came to open wide the doors to heaven brings true peace to confused and searching minds. Knowing that Jesus is waiting to welcome you to his eternal home where there will be no more “noise” makes all the noises of life a little easier to deal with.
Jesus promises, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.”
