Bible League: Living His Word Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.— John 14:27 ESV It was crucial that the disciples captured the final thoughts of their rabbi. Each chapter in what is called the "upper room discourse" highlights a repetitive structure, framed throughout each chapter (John 14, 15, 16, 17), that emphasizes the main ideas Jesus desired to convey. Chapter 14 provides the only discourse that was shared in the upper room, but it furnishes the foundation for what would be spoken while all were on their way to the Garden of Gethsemane. One can imagine Jesus leaning over the table near the floor, capturing the eyes of the 11 disciples in the room, and with a voice that demanded attention stating, "Let not your hearts be troubled" (John 14:1). The words were indeed needed, for He would now begin to share some "troubling" things with His disciples. To hold their attention, the Lord frames His thoughts upon his soon "going" and "coming again" phrases (John 14:2-3, 18-19, 28). After three years of constant companionship, these words would be troubling enough for the disciples. There is a sense that He is preparing them for more troubling thoughts to come, but there is also a sense that He is opening their minds to the wonderful expectations to come! "Let not your hearts be troubled..." for you will have your own "room" in heaven (vs. 2-3)! You will be a member of a family with a loving Father forever (vs. 18-21)! In so many words, Jesus describes their inheritance, and then He seals it with peace (vs. 27). Peace is what Jesus left the disciples. Through our relationship with Him, it is what He has left us also. The late Ray Stedman built the case, claiming it to be fundamental to our identity as believers, and that peace cannot be taken away by any circumstance. That is what Jesus meant by stating that He does not give it to us as the world does—circumstantially, temporarily, only in happy situations. No! The peace Jesus gives fits right in the midst of trouble. It stays with us throughout the turmoil, the pressure, or the heartache we experience throughout our lives. The disciples would have whatever questions they may have had answered for them in chapter 15. We find our answers there also. The constant abiding—the "you in me, and I in you" passages—peppered throughout the chapter strengthen our grip on peace amid unpeaceful times. There is no secret to peace in the heart of a believer. There is only a constant abiding with the Father, believing that when Jesus stated his eternal presence with us, He meant it. By Bill Niblette, Ph.D., Bible League International staff, Pennsylvania U.S. Bible in a Year Old Testament ReadingJudges 6, 7 Judges 6 -- Oppression by Midian; Gideon Chosen; Destruction of Altar of Baal; Fleece NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Judges 7 -- Gideon Uses 300 Chosen Men to Defeat the Midianites NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 8:1-21 Luke 8 -- Parables of the Sower and Lamp; Jesus Calms the Storm, Heals the Demoniac, Raises a Dead Girl NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Don't let me drift toward evilor take part in acts of wickedness. Don't let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong. Insight David asked God to guard his heart. Evil acts begin with evil desires. Challenge It isn't enough to ask God to keep you away from temptation, make you stronger, or change your circumstances. You must ask him to change you on the inside—at the level of your desires. Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Hosea 10:12 It is time to seek the Lord.This month of April is said to derive its name from the Latin verb aperio, which signifies to open, because all the buds and blossoms are now opening, and we have arrived at the gates of the flowery year. Reader, if you are yet unsaved, may your heart, in accord with the universal awakening of nature, be opened to receive the Lord. Every blossoming flower warns you that it is time to seek the Lord; be not out of tune with nature, but let your heart bud and bloom with holy desires. Do you tell me that the warm blood of youth leaps in your veins? then, I entreat you, give your vigor to the Lord. It was my unspeakable happiness to be called in early youth, and I could fain praise the Lord every day for it. Salvation is priceless, let it come when it may, but oh! an early salvation has a double value in it. Young men and maidens, since you may perish ere you reach your prime, "It is time to seek the Lord." Ye who feel the first signs of decay, quicken your pace: that hollow cough, that hectic flush, are warnings which you must not trifle with; with you it is indeed time to seek the Lord. Did I observe a little grey mingled with your once luxurious tresses? Years are stealing on apace, and death is drawing nearer by hasty marches, let each return of spring arouse you to set your house in order. Dear reader, if you are now advanced in life, let me entreat and implore you to delay no longer. There is a day of grace for you now--be thankful for that, but it is a limited season and grows shorter every time that clock ticks. Here in this silent chamber, on this first night of another month, I speak to you as best I can by paper and ink, and from my inmost soul, as God's servant, I lay before you this warning, "It is time to seek the Lord." Slight not that work, it may be your last call from destruction, the final syllable from the lip of grace. Daily Light on the Daily Path Judges 6:24 Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and named it The LORD is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.1 Chronicles 22:9 'Behold, a son will be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel in his days. Matthew 12:42 "The Queen of the South will rise up with this generation at the judgment and will condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. Isaiah 9:6 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 32:18,19 Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places; • And it will hail when the forest comes down, And the city will be utterly laid low. Ephesians 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, Micah 5:5 This One will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land, When he tramples on our citadels, Then we will raise against him Seven shepherds and eight leaders of men. Revelation 17:14 "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful." John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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