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 Songs 1:2 Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.For several days we have been dwelling upon the Saviour's passion, and for some little time to come we shall linger there. In beginning a new month, let us seek the same desires after our Lord as those which glowed in the heart of the elect spouse. See how she leaps at once to him; there are no prefatory words; she does not even mention his name; she is in the heart of her theme at once, for she speaks of him who was the only him in the world to her. How bold is her love! It was much condescension which permitted the weeping penitent to anoint his feet with spikenard--it was rich love which allowed the gentle Mary to sit at his feet and learn of him--but here, love, strong, fervent love, aspires to higher tokens of regard, and closer signs of fellowship. Esther trembled in the presence of Ahasuerus, but the spouse in joyful liberty of perfect love knows no fear. If we have received the same free spirit, we also may ask the like. By kisses we suppose to be intended those varied manifestations of affection by which the believer is made to enjoy the love of Jesus. The kiss of reconciliation we enjoyed at our conversion, and it was sweet as honey dropping from the comb. The kiss of acceptance is still warm on our brow, as we know that he hath accepted our persons and our works through rich grace. The kiss of daily, present communion is that which we pant after to be repeated day after day, till it is changed into the kiss of reception, which removes the soul from earth, and the kiss of consummation which fills it with the joy of heaven. Faith is our walk, but fellowship sensibly felt is our rest. Faith is the road, but communion with Jesus is the well from which the pilgrim drinks. O lover of our souls, be not strange to us; let the lips of thy blessing meet the lips of our asking; let the lips of thy fulness touch the lips of our need, and straightway the kiss will be effected. Daily Light on the Daily Path Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 1:8 and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 2 Corinthians 6:4,7,10 but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, • in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, • as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. Romans 5:3 And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 2 Corinthians 1:5 For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Psalm 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Revelation 7:17 for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes." 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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