With Easter just a few days away I felt it was appropriate to remind us of some of Jesus’ final words to His disciples.
Jesus knew the crucifixion is just hours away.
Jesus knows the spiritual, physical and mental state of his disciples – He knows they are hoping He will overturn the government and set up an earthly kingdom. He knows that they are moved by fear, He knows that one of his disciples will betray him for money and the others will leave Him in His darkest hour.
He also knows our weaknesses and strengths. He knows our fears – the things we haven’t voiced to anyone. He knows our spiritual condition.
Maybe we’ve just been playing church and wonder if it’s really worth it to continue living this “Christian life”. Jesus knew that without His leadership and direction His disciples were likely to abandon their faith and scatter. He knows our hearts.
This is what Jesus is saying to all of us. If you want to get the full impact of these verses read them out loud. Hear Jesus saying these things to you personally…
“Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together…’ 16 Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. 17 The Spirit will show you what is true. The people of this world cannot accept the Spirit, because they don’t see or know him. But you know the Spirit, who is with you and will keep on living in you. 18 I won’t leave you like orphans. I will come back to you. 19 In a little while the people of this world won’t be able to see me, but you will see me. And because I live, you will live. 20 Then you will know that I am one with the Father. You will know that you are one with me, and I am one with you. 21 If you love me, you will do what I have said, and my Father will love you. I will also love you and show you what I am like…25 I have told you these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Holy Spirit will come and help you, because the Father will send the Spirit to take my place. The Spirit will teach you everything and will remind you of what I said while I was with you. 27 I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid. 28 You have already heard me say that I am going and that I will also come back to you. If you really love me, you should be glad that I am going back to the Father, because he is greater than I am. 29 I am telling you this before I leave, so that when it does happen, you will have faith in me.” John 14 CEV
“I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid.”
Have peace today – don’t be worried or afraid but trust in the One who loves us enough that He died for us!
He loves us enough that He lives for us and intercedes for us from His throne in heaven!
We can have His peace, peace like a river.